Otago Daily Times
February 2, 2004
Policeman denies cover-up
NZPA
Mr Miller told One
News last night the inquiry found Mr Dewar had not committed any criminal or
disciplinary offence but his failure to record and investigate the allegations
showed "a gross lack of judgement and competence".
Mr Miller said it had been "unprofessional" of Mr Dewar to
investigate close associates.
"I think she [the complainant] was very naive and easily manipulated,
almost like play dough.
"She was able to be moulded how they wanted."
However, Mr Dewar strongly rejected any suggestion he had acted
unprofessionally.
"If I am incompetent, and I strongly deny that, then so too, by inference,
are all those involved in this investigation."
Police Commissioner Rob Robinson confirmed last night Mr Rickards has sought
and been granted leave from his post as
Announcing this intention yesterday, Mr Rickards said he was
"pleased" by the announcement of a further inquiry into Mrs Nicholas'
allegations.
"I will be co-operating fully with the inquiry and look forward to the
false and destructive allegations……being resolved once and for all," he
said in a statement released by his lawyer.
"To assist the public's perception of the inquiry's impartiality I have
volunteered to take three weeks' leave from the
Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday the Government would ensure these
"serious allegations" were fully investigated and she was considering
"a range of options".
"I first knew about this in 2000, when Mr Rickards was a contender for
deputy commissioner [a statutory appointment requiring the consent of the
Cabinet].
"At that time I was told of the allegations. He was not appointed."
She declined to say whether the allegations had anything to do with his failure
to be appointed, stating that "a lot of factors are weighed up in those
circumstances".
Mr Rickards' current job was an internal police appointment.
At the time, Ms Clark was also told the allegations had been fully investigated
and no prosecutions had followed.
A spokesman for Ms Clark said she had not been told about a rape claim at all.
"She was advised that there were allegations of sexual misconduct dating
back to the 1980s."
Mrs Nicholas has called for a parliamentary inquiry but Ms Clark said she did
not think that was "the appropriate way" to deal with the situation.
Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Mr Robinson said the PCA inquiry
was not made public nine years ago for reasons of "privacy".
"These are matters that emerged into the public domain today and we will
deal with them as best we can."
Both the historical allegations and the inquiries into them would be reviewed.
Deputy Commissioner Steve Long had already started work to lead the review and
would assemble a team of senior investigators.
Mr Robinson said he had already discussed the media report with Police
Complaints Authority Judge Ian Borrin, who could provide directions to him in
more discussions early next week.
The historic allegations had the "potential to be very damaging" to
the reputations of individuals and the name of the
The head of the PCA at the time of the 1995 investigation, Sir John Jeffries,
said he was unable to comment because he did not have "a clear enough
recollection of events".
"I only read about it in the paper on Saturday morning," he said
yesterday.