Overview
- Northern Territory Police Commissioner Martin Dole announced on Tuesday that the Director of Public Prosecutions advised there are no charges to be laid in the year-long inquiry into Kumanjayi White’s death.
- Mr White, a 24-year-old Warlpiri man, died after two off-duty officers restrained him inside a Coles supermarket in Alice Springs on May 27, 2025; first aid including CPR was given and he was taken to Alice Springs Hospital where he was later pronounced dead.
- Police and the acting DPP reportedly flew to the Lajamanu community to tell White’s family the decision in person, prompting anger from relatives who have announced a week-long media blackout.
- The DPP’s view was formed after assessing a brief of evidence that included a use-of-force review carried out by an unspecified interstate police force and other investigative material under the legal test of 'reasonable prospects' of conviction.
- White’s death has intensified long-standing calls for greater transparency, including release of supermarket CCTV and an independent inquiry, and the decision is likely to deepen community mistrust of police investigations and prompt further public protest and political pressure.