Stuff
February 2, 2004
Panel rated Rickards highly, PM says
NZPA
A panel charged
with appointing a new deputy police commissioner rated Clint Rickards highly
until it was made aware of allegations about him, Prime Minister Helen Clark
said today.
Louise Nicholas has claimed Mr Rickards, now assistant commissioner and
She also alleged they violated her with a police baton at a Rotorua house. The
three men have vigorously denied the allegations.
Mrs Nicholas claimed her original complaint in 1993 was not properly investigated,
and she was manipulated by police to protect those involved.
Miss Clark said the allegations were a factor in her not recommending Mr
Rickards for the job of deputy commissioner, which requires Government
approval, in 2000.
Police Commissioner Rob Robinson had "quite properly" advised her at
the time that Mr Rickards had been investigated over sexual misconduct claims.
A State Services Commission panel rated Mr Rickards very highly, she told
reporters today.
"They were then told – I understand – of the same matter Mr Robinson
brought to my attention.
"It was then decided ... the names that were in contention to put before
me, so I had a full picture.
"I would never have known a thing about Mr Rickards if he had not been
presented as a potential candidate.
"That is the sole beginning and end of my involvement and ... I
recommended another person."
Steve Long got the job.
Only three police positions are statutory – the commissioner and two deputies.
Miss Clark has said the Government would ensure the "serious
allegations" were fully investigated.
She was considering "a range of options".
Mrs Nicholas said she would be asking Miss Clark for an independent inquiry to
ensure she was treated "fairly and decently".
Police Minister George Hawkins told reporters today the Government would leave
no stone unturned getting to the bottom of the case.
New Zealand First leader Winston Peters said there should be a full independent
inquiry into the renewed allegations.
It was important there not be a trial by media, he said.
Mr Hawkins had been aware of the allegations as long ago as 1995, when the New
Zealand Listener magazine ran a story about them, Miss Clark said.
"Around that time Mr Hawkins asked a question to the Minister of Police
(John) Luxton," she said.
"Mr Luxton advised him ... that there had been allegations, there had been
an investigation and the matter hadn't been proceeded with.
"That was the advice that I had when Mr Rickards' name was before
me."
Miss Clark said there had been no case for reinstituting the investigation at
the time she was considering Mr Rickards for deputy commissioner.
"I was told that there had been a full investigation and that the decision
had been at the end of that not to proceed with it.
"The sole issue before me was 'do I recommend this man, or another person
for a position?' and that was the decision I took."
Mr Rickards is on three weeks' unscheduled annual leave from his new job as
Auckland Central commander.
ACT's police spokeswoman Muriel Newman today renewed
her criticism of Mr Hawkins, asking why he had not yet ordered an urgent
independent inquiry.
"Thanks to Mr Hawkins' incompetence and apathy, public confidence in the
police is wavering," she said.
"With these allegations not being addressed in a timely manner, we now
have reports of a conspiracy that reaches the highest levels of the
police."
Ms Newman said the reputation of the force was at serious risk.
"Police rely on a public perception that everything is above board, and law-abiding
New Zealanders must know they need not fear those who are supposed to protect
them."