Green Party
February 2, 2004
Press Release
Greens want rape-claim inquiry widened
The Green Party is
calling for the inquiry into rape allegations against former Rotorua police
officers to also consider the failure of police hierarchy and the Police
Minister to fully investigate the complaints when they were originally made
aware of them.
"The public needs to know how much faith can be placed in police internal
investigations and those by the Police Complaints Authority," said Keith
Locke, the Green Party Police spokesperson. "For example, is it still
police procedure to let serious accusations of police wrongdoing be
investigated by colleagues of the accused from the same district?
"There is also the question of whether the Police Minister is sufficiently
monitoring allegations of police misbehaviour. It is unacceptable that
accusations that involve a top police officer can be ignored for so long.
"George Hawkins should not simply have accepted police advise
on the Rotorua case. He has a role as a public watchdog and must conduct his
own investigation when there are serious accusations of police wrongdoing.
"The Minister has to be more than just a front-man for the police.
"Questions also arise about the operations of the Police Complaints
Authority," said Mr Locke. "How can it keep an adequate check on
police power if most of its investigations are done by serving police officers,
and if the results of those inquiries are kept confidential, as in this
case?"
Mr Locke said that Detective Inspector John Dewar, who was criticised by the
PCA for his mishandling of the original inquiry, appears to have received no
disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, Green Party Women's spokesperson, Sue Kedgley
said it was perfectly understandable that the complainant had taken so long in
coming forward.
"There can be no 'statute of limitations' on rape allegations," said
Ms Kedgley. "Society has to accept that some
women are so devastated by their experience that it takes years for them to
have the confidence and courage to lodge an official complaint.
"Louise Nicholas has made a very brave decision in coming forward and I
sincerely hope that 'the system' treats her with more courtesy, respect and
dignity than she has received in the past."