The
Dominion Post
March 27, 2004
Rape inquiry will go on, says Robinson
Police Commissioner Rob Robinson has ruled out suspending or dropping any
investigation into rape allegations made against police while a commission of
inquiry proceeds.
"Police have received a very serious complaint and is the only agency in
the country with the statutory powers to conduct such an investigation,"
Mr Robinson said yesterday.
This follows calls from ACT MP Stephen Franks for police to drop their
investigations so a commission of inquiry could take precedence and not be
delayed.
The commission was sparked by allegations that Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas
was pack-raped in 1986 by former officers Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton, and
Clint Rickards, now an assistant commissioner. The men have said the sex was
consensual and have denied rape.
Police files on inquiries into the rape allegations cannot be released till the
investigation is completed. The commission of inquiry said this week that this,
and Police Complaints Authority secrecy provisions, could delay the inquiry.