Waikato Times
February 16, 2004

Shocked staff backing Waikato's top cop
by Steve Hopkins

Waikato police are shocked their district commander has been stood down as part of an inquiry into allegations of police pack-rape.

Superintendent Kelvin Powell was stood down on Saturday after being named as a "person of interest" in the inquiry into allegations made against the man he replaced as Waikato district commander, now assistant commissioner Clint Rickards, and two former police officers Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum.

Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas claims the three men pack-raped her in a police house in Rotorua in the 1980s. The men deny the allegations. Mr Rickards has also been stood down.

It was reported today that Mr Powell was stood down in relation to earlier complaints made by Mrs Nicholas of sexual indecencies committed against her in Murupara between 1980 and 1983 when she was aged 13-15.

But Mrs Nicholas told the Waikato Times that she couldn't comment about Mr Powell and any reports about his link to the investigation were just presumption. Police won't say why Mr Powell has been stood down.

Mr Powell started his police career in Rotorua in January 1981 and worked there for six years. He worked alongside Mr Rickards and did some relieving work in Murupara.

A senior Hamilton police officer, who said he'd known about allegations against Mr Rickards "for years", said staff would be shocked by Mr Powell's stand down because "there was never any scandal about Kelvin".

Former Hamilton police officer and Hamilton city councillor John Gower said normally he hears "all the gossip" but had heard nothing about Mr Powell. "There's never been any baggage with Kelvin." Mr Gower said Mr Rickards "had a big hand" in Mr Powell's promotion to district commander.

Mr Powell, who is married and has two teenage daughters and a son, refused to comment to the Times today but said he would "possibly" be making a statement in the next few days. He remains on full pay. Detective Inspector Bruce Scott will fill in.

Mr Powell has also been dropped as New Zealand security chief for the Olympic team in Athens this year.

Police national headquarters said Mr Powell was not "the fourth man" – a person Mrs Nicholas claims watched as she was raped.