One News
February 16, 2004

Appeal for info on rape claims

The Prime Minister is appealing for anyone with further information about rape allegations against police officers to come forward soon.

Helen Clark's announced former top civil servant Dame Margaret Bazely and High Court Judge Bruce Robertson will investigate the allegations including claims police covered them up later.

"There may well be more and they must be able to inquire into like incidents because we're endeavouring to see whether there is a systemic problem here, Is there a pattern?" said Clark.

The inquiry will look into the treatment of a complaint by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas that she was raped by three police officers in 16 years ago.

The commission's full powers have still to be agreed, but it has until November to report back.