Allegations of Abuse
in NZ |
|
|
|
Previously
secret allegations that a fourth policeman sexually abused Louise Nicholas
will be part of the commission of inquiry into claims of police pack rape. If
the inquiry reveals Mrs Nicholas' claims against the officer are true, he is
protected from legal action as he has already been acquitted after two
mistrials. The
Dominion Post has been prevented, till now, from revealing any details about
Mrs Nicholas' allegation of earlier sexual assault by the officer because
that case is suppressed. But
an order in council from Governor-General Dame Silvia Cartwright, released
with the terms of reference for the commission yesterday, briefly mentions
the case, allowing sketchy details to be revealed. Dame
Silvia's order states a policeman was charged and tried in court in relation
to sexual assaults against Mrs Nicholas, alleged to have occurred in the
early 1980s when she was in her early teens. The officer was acquitted at a
third trial after two previous mistrials. That
case, along with Mrs Nicholas' published allegations against Assistant Police
Commissioner Clint Rickards and two other former police officers,
"raised questions" about police investigations that would be
examined in the inquiry. Prime
Minister Helen Clark said other women had made complaints about sexual
assaults by officers, and the way police had handled these, since The
Dominion Post published its inquiries into Mrs Nicholas' case. The
inquiry would also look at allegations of sexual assault by a police officer
made by Judith Garrett. "The
public must be assured that the police will thoroughly investigate any
allegations of criminal behaviour by their own personnel," Miss Clark
said. "If the allegations that have been made indicate that there are
systematic problems, they will be identified and dealt with." The
inquiry would also look into wider issues of standards and codes relating to
police personal behaviour, including sexual conduct. Headed
by Dame Margaret Bazley and Justice Bruce Robertson, the inquiry would
announce dates and places for hearings and announce details about how to make
submissions as soon as possible. It
would not determine the guilt or innocence of officers. Victoria
University law professor John Miller said even if the inquiry found
"compelling evidence of guilt" on the part of the fourth officer he
could not be charged again as he had been acquitted. However,
other officers and former police who were the subject of allegations could be
charged if the police decided the inquiry revealed enough evidence to warrant
a prosecution. |
|
|
|