February 7, 2004
Ex-cop Dewar: Divisive or a straight shooter?
by Nicola Boyes
The news over the
past week has been dominated by one story - Louise Nicholas' historic
allegations of pack rape by police. Two of the key players in the saga live in
the
John Dewar was the head of the Rotorua CIB and armed offender squad when he
faced scrutiny by his own.
Now, nine years on, he has left the police and is the human resources manager
for the midland region of
His name will be alongside
Rickards, Shipton and Schollum are alleged to have pack-raped former Rotorua
woman Louise Nicholas and violated her with a police baton in 1986 when they
worked in Rotorua.
Dewar was the man she told about it.
His actions were reviewed by a Police Complaints Authority investigation over
the matter nine years ago. It found he had committed no criminal or
disciplinary offences. But it said he showed a gross lack of judgement and
competence.
And former Hamilton CIB head Rex Miller, who conducted the review, says
Nicholas was "moulded like play dough" into not making a complaint.
All Dewar will say is Miller has put himself in a
difficult position and he's seeking legal remedy to statements made about him.
"He's upset the relationship I had with Louise, a close personal
relationship I had with her as a friend, police officer and investigator."
When asked if there was any reason Mr Miller would have an axe to grind his
response gives hint enough –- "It would certainly appear to be the case
wouldn't it?"
People are divided when it comes to Dewar. Some describe him as divisive,
others as diligent and hardworking.
Few will go public with their doubts, but one of his staunchest supporters
during the 1995 investigation, when he was stood down, was former cop and MP
Ross Meurant.
He described the officer who made his mark as the No 2 detective in the Peter Plumley-Walker murder case as an "outstanding police
officer".
Dewar was shifted to
Soon after he faced a fine of $500 and was ordered to pay $4000 towards a
tribunal hearing after he was found guilty by a police disciplinary tribunal of
using insulting language towards a woman officer.
He asked a female detective "are you bonking one of the bosses or
something?" during a dispute about her reasons for wanting to stay with an
Dewar eventually left the police and worked at
He said
St John Midland regional manager Eddie Jackson described Dewar as a
"straight down the line individual who ruffled a few feathers".
"He likes to get to the bottom of whatever the issue is and will give an
honest opinion without fear or favour."
They say Dewar has now briefed them on the background to those investigations
and while he has worked for them he has showen
himself to be honest, hardworking and diligent.
"