The Dominion Post
March 2, 2004

Dewar removed from St John Ambulance post

The decision to remove former detective John Dewar from his senior post at St John Ambulance followed lengthy discussions with bosses after he was implicated in police sexual misconduct accusations.

Mr Dewar, human resources manager for the ambulance service's midland region, has gone on leave while a commission of inquiry looks at a range of issues after allegations of police pack rapes and handling of the complaints.

St John Ambulance chief executive Jaimes Wood said the decision for Mr Dewar to step aside was mutual and followed several discussions.

Mr Wood did not know who initiated the discussions and was not personally involved.

He would not say if Mr Dewar would be paid while on his "leave of absence".

The Dominion Post revealed that Louise Nicholas had complained of being pack-raped by three police officers in Rotorua in the 1980s. She said Auckland police commissioner Clint Rickards, and Tauranga city councillor Brad Shipton and Napier car salesman Bob Schollum, who have left the police, raped her and violated her with a baton. Mr Rickards has been stood down while the allegations are investigated by the commission of inquiry. All three deny the allegations and say the sex was consensual.

Mr Dewar is under the spotlight for allegedly mishandling the investigation into Mrs Nicholas' complaint. Another woman has also accused Mr Dewar of having group sex with her, Mr Shipton and Mr Rickards.

Mr Wood said the controversy had not affected Mr Dewar's performance but by taking leave, he would able to focus on the commission of inquiry.

Prime Minister Helen Clark has appointed High Court judge Bruce Robertson and Dame Margaret Bazley to run the commission of inquiry and wants them to report back by November.

Their inquiries will focus on police processes and culture, against the backdrop of rape and a cover-up alleged by Mrs Nicholas.

Tauranga Mayor Jan Beange said the allegations had not affected Mr Shipton's performance as a councillor. By law, councillors could be disqualified only if they were convicted of an offence punishable by at least two years' jail.

"He came to me before the allegations were made public. He considers he is innocent. We've got to bear in mind innocent till proven guilty."

She said it was not for the council to be judge and jury.