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 Auckland regional commander.

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 Auckland command after which I fully expect to resume my position as normal."

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 New Zealand police force, he said.

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.