Allegations of Abuse in NZ
	Tim Ogle: Home "A trial that should never have happened" Page 1 - 2004/2005 (Pretrial)
	The Press February 17, 2004 Robertson and Bazley head police cover-up inquiry by Tracy Watkins Allegations of sexual offending by police officers are expected to be aired at public hearings when a Commission of Inquiry begins probing claims of a cover-up. Prime Minister Helen Clark has announced that the Commission will be headed by High Court judge Bruce Robertson and a top public servant, Dame Margaret Bazley. Police Association president Greg O'Connor said the Government could not have appointed "anyone better" than the two commissioners. The association was confident that they were capable of objectivity, fairness, and professionalism in their handling of the inquiry. Clark yesterday urged people who believed they had information that might point to a "systemic" problem within police to come forward as soon as possible. "There may well be more (cases) and they must be able to inquire into like instances because we are endeavouring to see whether there is a systemic problem here. "People should come forward as quickly as possible so the commission can get on with its work." Fresh allegations about sexual offending by police officers have surfaced since it was reported that Louise Nicholas alleged she was pack-raped in 1986 by two former police officers, Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton and Auckland commander Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards. The men have admitted having sex with her but deny rape. Rickards has been stood down. Police have reopened a criminal investigation into her allegations. A second senior police officer, Kelvin Powell, was stood down from all duties for the duration of the investigation on Saturday. Deputy Commissioner Steve Long said Powell was an "individual of interest" but would not elaborate. Clark said a number of women had made complaints about sexual assaults by police officers and the manner in which the police handled those complaints. Another woman, Judith Garrett, has complained about sexual abuse by police officers in Kaitaia in 1988. A former Rotorua teenager has claimed that a policeman lured her for sex at the same house where Nicholas alleges she was raped. Legislation overhauling the body responsible for investigating complaints about the police, the Police Complaints Authority, has been put on hold till the Commission of Inquiry reports back to the Governor-General on November 1. Terms of reference for the inquiry are still being drafted but Clark said it would inquire into police conduct and procedure when receiving and investigating allegations of sexual assault made against the police. It would also inquire into the police standards and codes in relation to personal behaviour, including sexual conduct.