Police Commissioner Jamie Chalker’s latest comments about the Kumanjayi Walker coronial inquest have been described as “completely inappropriate” and “baffling” by Northern Territory Police Association president Paul McCue.

Mr Chalker made a surprise appearance at the last day of the inquest for the year in Alice Springs on Wednesday, sitting in the grass outside court with members of Mr Walker’s family and telling the ABC that the “inquest is all about a search for the truth” and that “there’s been a fair bit of mischief in the past, this is the opportunity for that to come out”.

He refused to clarify the remarks when asked.

The NTPA called the comments “completely inappropriate” while the judicial process is still underway.

“The NTPA asks for everyone to respect the current inquest process underway into the death of Kumanjayi Walker,” Mr McCue said in a statement.

“As the inquest wraps up for this year, our membership is upset and baffled by public statements made by the Commissioner of Police regarding ‘a search for truth’ and ‘mischief in the past’ …

“These comments are completely inappropriate while judicial proceedings are underway.

“In the absence of a fulsome explanation to those comments, we urge the Commissioner, and anyone for that matter, to refrain from making public comment.”

Mr McCue added that while “much of the evidence” had been “difficult for those officers involved and for many who were listening”, it was crucial that the coroner hear all of the evidence before finalising her report.

“We must allow the coroner to hear the evidence and make her recommendations before making public statements or alluding to what may or may not be the truth”, said Mr McCue.

Last week, Mr Chalker broke his own long-standing pledge not to publicly discuss the inquest out of respect for the process, when he told media that his personal popularity with the rank-and-file had improved while the inquest was happening.

In August, 80 per cent or respondents to an NTPA survey said they had lost confidence in his leadership. Mr Chalker has refused to stand down since the damning results were released.

“I think it’s [his popularity] changed dramatically since a lot of truth has come out,” he said, adding that the attrition rate has “dropped markedly”.

Mr Chalker refused to explain then why he was talking about the inquest and what “truth” he was referring to.

Mr Chalker caused controversy in February 2020 when he gave The Australian an interview ahead of the trial of Constable Zach Rolfe in which he seemed to imply that he was confident in a conviction.

It was the only other time until today that Mr McCue has publicly criticised the Commissioner, saying at the time that Mr Chalker’s decision to make comments were “astounding” while the matter was still before the courts.

Constable Rolfe was found not guilty of murder and alternative charges by a jury in March.

The inquest into Mr Walker’s death led by Coroner Elisabeth Armitage will continue in the new year.