Otago Daily Times
February 6, 2004

Perry to lead investigation of rape claim
by Lea Stewart

Southern police district commander Superintendent Nick Perry will head the high-profile criminal investigation into the historical rape allegations against three police officers.

Supt Perry (52) will lead a team of 13 police staff, three of whom also come from the Southern district. He will answer to deputy commissioner of opera- tions Steve Long.

It is alleged three police officers, including Auckland police commander Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards, pack-raped Louise Nicholas and violated her with a baton in Rotorua in 1986, when she was 18.

The two other men involved in the allegations, Tauranga city councillor Brad Shipton and Napier car dealer Bob Schollum, have since left the force.

All three men have vigorously denied the allegations.

Speaking from Wellington yesterday, where he will be based until the conclusion of the inquiry, Supt Perry said he learned he would be co-ordinating the inquiry last weekend and flew to the capital on Monday.

The rest of the inquiry team, from Southern, Christchurch, Auckland and Wellington, are expected to be in Wellington by early next week.

"It will provide an interesting challenge," Supt Perry said.

"I have no idea at this stage how long I'll be here. At this stage, I'm still assessing what lines of inquiry will need to be undertaken and making my way through files and other associated matters."

Supt Perry said he had never worked directly with any of the three men involved but had spoken with Mr Rickards in a professional capacity on occasions.

"I have spoken with Clint Rickards for usual administration business but have never met any of them on a personal level or worked directly with them."