In a significant ruling, a NSW police officer who assaulted an Aboriginal teenager has lost his appeal, shedding light on the systemic issues of police brutality and the ongoing over-incarceration of Indigenous people in the state.

The officer (Ryan Barbor) had been found guilty of assaulting an Aboriginal youth during an arrest in 2020, resulting in the teenager suffering physical injuries, including bleeding and abrasions. Despite his earlier appeal to overturn the conviction the District Court upheld the decision, amplifying concerns about the lack of accountability within the police force.

This case follows a troubling pattern of misconduct within NSW Police, highlighted by previous findings of police officers using excessive force against vulnerable Aboriginal people, which raises critical questions about the NSW Labor government’s continued failure to address police brutality and the disproportionate incarceration rates of Indigenous people.

Barbor’s case is emblematic of the broader issue of systemic racism within law enforcement, an issue that the NSW government under Premier Chris Minns and the NSW Labor Party have repeatedly ignored… and despite mounting evidence and calls from Indigenous advocates for urgent reform, the Premier has downplayed the role of police in perpetuating these disparities, arguing that Indigenous incarceration rates are not due to law enforcement practices (or alleged racism / discrimination against Indigenous people).

A Pattern of Police Misconduct

In 2020 (Barbor) while attempting to arrest a 16-year-old boy in Sydney’s Surrey Hills, used excessive force that resulted in the teenager being slammed to the ground and injured. Video footage from the incident, which surfaced in the public eye showed the officer using aggressive tactics to subdue the young man sparked outrage among Indigenous communities with many accusing the police of violating the rights of Aboriginal Australians.

In addition, the incident was a clear example of the power dynamics at play in the interactions between law enforcement and Aboriginal people… but unfortunately, Barbor’s case is not an isolated one and the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) has reported multiple instances of similar police brutality, where officers have used unnecessary and disproportionate force during arrests involving Aboriginal individuals.

Thus, the continued failure to address these abuses of power reflects a troubling status quo under the current Labor government.

Labor’s Record on Police Accountability

Premier Chris Minns’ government has faced significant backlash for handling police misconduct.

And rather than implementing meaningful reforms, the state’s leadership has continued to deflect responsibility for the rising number of police brutality cases and the record-high incarceration rates of Aboriginal people.

But recent reports show that Indigenous youth are incarcerated at disproportionate rates with 60% of youth in detention being Aboriginal this crisis has been exacerbated by a failure to hold law enforcement officers accountable for their actions.

And while Barbor was convicted for assaulting the teenager the broader problem remains unaddressed… and despite the overwhelming evidence of police misconduct, Premier Minns has denied calls for an inquiry into the systemic nature of police violence against Aboriginal communities.

Calls for Action from Indigenous Advocates

Indigenous leaders have long called for a comprehensive review of police practices, with demands for greater transparency and accountability… and many have pointed to the LECC’s findings, which highlight the continued use of excessive force against Indigenous people and the need for law enforcement officers to undergo extensive training in cultural awareness and de-escalation tactics.

Organisations like the Redfern Legal Centre and the Aboriginal Legal Service have voiced their concerns, urging the state government to take meaningful action because “The current system is broken” and “We need real change”, which includes ensuring that police officers are held accountable and that the rights of Aboriginal people are respected during interactions with law enforcement.”

Thus, the push for change has also gained momentum through the advocacy of state and national organisations calling for broader reforms, which includes calls for the end of racial profiling, better police training on Aboriginal culture, and measures to reduce the over-incarceration of Indigenous Australians.

So as Barbor’s appeal loss reinforces the need for greater accountability within the NSW Police, it also highlights the failure of Premier Chris Minns and his government to take decisive action on issues of police brutality and Indigenous incarceration.

And until the government addresses the systemic nature of these issues, Indigenous Australians will continue to face unequal treatment under the law.

Because a shift in policy and a commitment to reform are necessary to ensure that future generations of Indigenous Australians are not subjected to the same injustices that have plagued their communities for decades.