MEDIA RELEASE
Friday 21 November 2025
The Aboriginal Legal Service (NSW/ACT) Limited (ALS) is extremely disturbed by a recent incident where ACT Policing officers pulled a 17-year-old Aboriginal boy from a bus at gunpoint, forced him to the ground, and handcuffed him before realising they had the wrong person. Family members say the boy was searched even after officers confirmed he was not the person they were pursuing.
“This was a wildly inappropriate response from police officers that risked harm to the boy and everyone else on the bus. As the boy’s family have said, this incident raises questions of racial profiling,” said Karly Warner, Chief Executive Officer of the ALS.
“I have no doubt this child would have feared for his life in that moment, facing police officers with guns drawn, without a clue what was happening and why. Police officers are supposed to protect the community, not to cause fear,” Ms Warner said.
“Police must answer for this incident, including what grounds they had to search the boy after realising they had the wrong person.”
The ALS supports the family’s calls to see police body-worn video footage, to receive funding for trauma counselling, and for the officers involved to be stood down while a robust, independent investigation takes place.
The ALS is concerned that ACT Policing Chief Police Officer Scott Lee has stated his support for the police officers involved before the incident has been independently investigated. Mr Lee also said he did not believe the incident could have been avoided in the context, which raises significant questions of how similar incidents could be prevented in the future.
“Among other concerning statements, the Chief Police Officer said he does not believe there is institutional racism in ACT Policing. This contradicts the findings of a recent independent review* which stated that systemic racism and policing culture remain significant issues for ACT Aboriginal communities. Why is ACT Policing not listening to community?” Ms Warner said.
The ALS looks forward to the findings of an ACT Ombudsman report into the incident.
ENDS
Media contact:
Alyssa Robinson [email protected] 0427 346 017
