The Press
February 16, 2004

High-powered probe of police rape claims
by Vernon Small

Two commissioners will head a government commission of inquiry sparked by allegations of rape by police officers as another police officer has been forced to stand down and face investigation.

Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday that the names of the commissioners would probably be announced this week.

The police commissioner's office, meanwhile, confirmed Waikato district commander Superintendent Kelvin Powell was "an individual of interest" to investigations into the rape allegations.

The nature of the interest in Powell has not been disclosed, but he has been stood down from duty.

The Government ordered the commission of inquiry after allegations by Louise Nicholas that in 1986 she was pack-raped in a Rotorua house when she was about 18 by two former officers -- Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton -- and another officer who became the Auckland district commander, Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards.

The men have admitted having sex with her but deny rape. Rickards has been stood down.

Clark said the commissioners had agreed to accept their appointments and were familiar with the terms of reference for the inquiry.

She said the focus of the inquiry would be on the alleged incidents "and the way they were dealt with".

Asked if the commission would also look at the wider issue of the police culture, Clark said: "How they were dealt with relates to that."

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson has also reopened a criminal investigation into Nicholas's allegations.

Criminal inquiry head Deputy Commissioner Steve Long said current information indicated Powell was not the "fourth man" relating to Nicholas's claims.

Nicholas has said a fourth person watched as she was raped.

A childhood friend of Nicholas has taken the unusual step of asking the High Court to lift the suppression on her name as a rape complainant in a gesture of support.

Rhondda Herbert-Savage said: "I want the public to see my face and know who I am. A lot of people who know me will now understand why I have always looked so unhappy all my life. I've never really been able to tell them why. Now they will know it's because of the way I was treated by police."--Dominion Post-NZPA