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Allegations
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The commission of
inquiry into police conduct has scheduled a special hearing to try to find a
way of proceeding without contaminating criminal proceedings. The commission, set up
in response to allegations by Louise Nicholas and Judith Garrett, met on
Thursday to decide whether it could continue. Charges have been laid against
Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards and two former police
colleagues, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum, after Mrs Nicholas' allegations. Commissioner Bruce
Robertson urged lawyers for all interested parties to come up with ideas
"in hard, cold, practical terms" on how the commission could
continue its brief while criminal processes were under way. As well as
looking into Mrs Nicholas' and Mrs Garrett's cases, the inquiry has been
asked to report on the wider issue of police culture and processes. "It appears . . .
that it would be impossible and certainly irresponsible to endeavour to make
any determinations with regard to those wider issues unless and till there
has been an investigation of all matters . . . ," Justice Robertson
said. He questioned whether
it would be more beneficial to do staggered or "piecemeal" work, or
simply adjust the timing of its work to synchronise with criminal processes. Private or suppressed
hearings could be an option till criminal charges run their course. Justice Robertson said
he was conscious that many people had bravely come forward with grievances. "We have never
lost sight of their particular plight and need," he said. The next meeting is on April 22. |
