NZ Herald
March 9, 2004
Police union asked for help in sex-claims case
by Jo-Marie Brown
At least one of the
men at the centre of historic sex-attack allegations against police staff has
asked the police union to help pay his legal bills.
The Police Association's Rotorua area committee has met to consider one or more
applications for legal assistance, but committee chairman Scott Thompson would
not say yesterday who had applied.
Complainant Louise Nicholas has also accused
The actions of former Rotorua CIB chief John Dewar are also being examined as
to whether he properly investigated Mrs Nicholas' original rape complaints.
Former police officers can apply to the Police Association for legal aid if
their situation is a result of their police employment or if it is a matter of
interest to association members.
The association helps both sworn and non-sworn police employees.
Mr Thompson would not say whether the Rotorua committee supported the
application(s) but said a recommendation had been sent to head office in
Association president Greg O'Connor said yesterday that a recommendation had
not yet arrived, but when it did the national office would decide whether legal
aid should be granted.
"We take each case on its merits," Mr O'Connor said. "We don't
have any blanket policies other than those general criteria."