The Press
February 16, 2004
High-powered probe of police rape claims
by
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
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
The men have admitted having sex with her but deny rape. Rickards has been
stood down.
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,
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