Waikato Times
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 Waikato and both are former policemen, John Dewar who headed the original police investigation, and Rex Miller who did the review of his work. Nicola Boyes backgrounds both men.

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 St John ambulance –- but his conduct as an officer is once again under scrutiny.

His name will be alongside Auckland's top police officer, assistant commissioner Clint Rickards, and former police officer Tauranga councillor Brad Shipton and Napier salesman Bob Schollum in a new police investigation and commission of inquiry.

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 Auckland to be a control room inspector in January 1996 at the end of the complaints authority investigation.

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 Auckland investigation.

Dewar eventually left the police and worked at Hamilton's Prolife Foods before gaining his position in April 2001 as human resources manager for the midland region of St John.

St John chief James Wood confirmed staff had sent letters about Dewar's police history to the Wellington office after he was appointed but he believed those issues had been resolved.

He said St John knew nothing of the $500 fine and said it did concern him.

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.

"St John will await the report of the commission of inquiry before drawing any conclusions. At this time Mr Dewar continues to perform his duties in the employment of St John Midland region," Mr Wood said.