Otago Daily Times
February 16, 2004

Clark backs police action over rape allegations
Another top officer stood down
by Kevin Norquay, of NZPA

Wellington: It was "appropriate" for police to take their own action over pack rape allegations involving their own, Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday, after inquiries claimed another top level officer.

Waikato district commander Kelvin Powell was stood down on Saturday as the police inquiry into allegations of pack rape in the 1980s by three Rotorua policemen gained momentum.

Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas has alleged she was pack-raped by Clint Rickards, Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton.

Mr Rickards, Auckland police boss and an assistant commissioner, Napier car dealer Mr Schollum and Tauranga city councillor Mr Shipton have all strongly denied the allegations.

Mr Rickards has already stood down from his job.

Mrs Nicholas has said there was a fourth man present at the alleged pack rape.

Mr Powell was not the fourth man, Police Commissioner Rob Robinson said in a statement.

He did not say why Mr Powell had been stood down, only that he was "an individual of interest" to investigations into the allegations.

He would not expand for fear of prejudicing the inquiry, he said.

Ms Clark this month ordered an independent commission of inquiry to look into the allegations, even though police had reopened their investigation.

Ms Clark told NZPA Mr Robinson had left a message for her about Mr Powell, but she had yet to be briefed on it.

"I'm simply assuming it is on a matter relating to the inquiry, and I'm very pleased we're having an inquiry," she said.

"As the allegations keep coming and nobody has sued anyone yet - which is always significant - then the police are taking their own action, and that's appropriate.

"I personally think the commissioner won't leave a stone unturned."

Mrs Nicholas said it was a "complete mystery" why Mr Powell had been stood down, which came after Mr Powell was interviewed on Thursday by police conducting the inquiry.

Detective Inspector Bruce Scott has taken command of the Waikato district.

Mr Powell told the Sunday Star-Times he had no comment.

Mr Powell's first job was as an 18-year-old constable at the Rotorua police station.

The Sunday Star-Times understood he also worked for a short time at the Murupara police station, in the same region.

Mr Powell was among 30 people interviewed in the past week by eight officers from outside the Rotorua police district.

Messrs Shipton, Schollum and Rickards are yet to be interviewed.

Police Minister George Hawkins said the stand down of Mr Powell would "heighten" public confidence in the police.