Dominion Post
February 16, 2004

Two chosen for inquiry into police sex claims
by Vernon Small


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 Auckland commander Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards.

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. Waikato district commander Superintendent Kelvin Powell was served with papers on Saturday requiring him to stand down from all duties for the duration of the investigation.

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 Waikato district till the situation could be reviewed next week. Mr Powell had also been replaced with Inspector Gary Allcock as the New Zealand police security liaison for the Athens 2004 Olympic team.

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.