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
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.