Dominion
Post
February 16, 2004
Two chosen for inquiry into police sex claims
by
Two commissioners
will head a government commission of inquiry prompted by allegations of police
rape.
Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday it was likely the names of the
commissioners would be announced this week.
"A lot of work has been done on the terms of reference, which we will talk
about in general terms when we announce the commissioners. We just need a few
more days to get them well drafted. But we have a clear idea of where we are
going."
She said the commissioners had agreed to accept appointment and were familiar
with the terms of reference.
"They relate to the allegations that have been made. Once those
allegations made through The Dominion Post and TV1 were made, other allegations
of like incidents came to the fore. That's what the focus will be: around such
incidents and the way they were dealt with."
Asked if the commission would look at the wider issue of police culture, Miss
Clark said: "How they were dealt with relates to that."
The Government ordered the inquiry after Louise Nicholas alleged she was
pack-raped in a Rotorua house in 1986, when she was about 18, by two former
officers, Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton, and
The men have admitted having sex with her but deny rape. Mr Rickards has been
stood down.
Police Commissioner Rob Robinson also reopened a criminal investigation into
her allegations.
Police investigating those allegations confirmed at the weekend that a second
senior officer had been stood down.
Criminal inquiry head Deputy Commissioner Steve Long said information indicated
Mr Powell was not the "fourth man" relating to Ms Nicholas' claims.
Ms Nicholas has said a fourth person watched as she was raped by Mr Rickards,
Mr Shipton and Mr Schollum.
Mr Long said Mr Powell was "an individual of interest". He would not
say, however, why the inquiry team was interested in Mr Powell, because he did
not want to prejudice the overall investigation.
Detective Bruce Scott had assumed command of the
Meanwhile, a former senior policeman who failed to investigate properly the
pack-rape allegations reiterated at the weekend that he did his duty as a
detective inspector "at all times".
A woman alleged in the Weekend Dominion Post that Mr Dewar had earlier engaged
in consensual group sex with one of the policemen he investigated.
A statement from Mr Dewar's lawyer on Saturday said "he has done no
wrong" and, on advice, would not comment further.
Earlier statements on behalf of Mr Dewar – rereleased
by the lawyer – said he investigated fully Mrs Nicholas' claims and did not
compromise inquiries to protect colleagues. He welcomed appropriate inquiries
and looked forward to being exonerated.
Mr Dewar plans to seek remedies available to him.