A corruption watchdog has closed an investigation into racism within the Northern Territory police force’s elite tactical response unit with no adverse findings, despite finding evidence of race-based discrimination.

The probe was triggered by former constable Zachary Rolfe, who tendered three award certificates during an inquest into the death of Kumanjayi Walker, attempting to prove the force’s ingrained culture of racism.

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Rolfe, who was acquitted of murder at a five-week trial, shot Kumanjayi Walker, 19, three times as he resisted being handcuffed while armed with a pair of scissors in Yuendumu, north-west of Alice Springs, on November 9, 2019.

Rolf’s racism claims were rejected by five officers, who said the “Noogadah” award was given to the tactical response group (TRG) member who had acted in an unhygienic manner, and it had no relationship to race.

The NT’s Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) launched an investigation in early 2024 to test the truthfulness of the officers’ statements and whether the TRG had issued any racist awards in the past 12 years.

ICAC commissioner Michael Riches’ report into the matter concluded there was no admissible evidence about the five officers that warranted further investigation of any potential charge against them.

“Although the investigation to this point has uncovered some evidence of historical racism within the police force, despite a very thorough investigation there has not been any evidence of any further racist conduct or material produced after 2015,” the commissioner’s delegate, Patricia Kelly, wrote in the report.

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The report also said a further wide-ranging investigation into racism within the force wasn’t necessary because the police commissioner had apologised, and the agency was taking steps to deal with racism.

Riches recommended the investigation be closed, saying there was no further utility in continuing it, nor were there resources available to expand it.

During the early stages of the probe, he found evidence of racism within the force, which included a series of police award certificates issued between 2007 and 2015.

One was entitled “2007 Shit BBQ Award” that was adorned with the words “the most c--n like BBQ ever!!”

Another was called the “2007 Noogadah Award” and included the words “utmost level of Aboriginality while being an elite member of the [TRG]”.

An award certificate also included an image of what appeared to be an Aboriginal male lying face down on the ground with beer cans superimposed around the sides of the document.

The NT government said it had never supported the allegations that there was systemic racism within the territory’s police force.

“This period has caused much angst and distress amongst our hardworking police,” a spokesman said.

“This report puts those claims to bed.”

AAP