One News
April 3, 2004
Powell faces rape allegations
Another of New
Zealand's top police officers is facing an allegation of rape.
Now it has come to light that a former policewoman claims he raped her during
the 1980's.
The former constable claims she was raped by Powell at a birthday party, but
says she didn't lay a complaint at the time for fear it would ruin her career.
Superintendent Powell, who was due to head to
Powell was stood down in February as police widened their investigation into
historic claims of sexual abuse within the police force.
Assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards, and
former officers Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum are currently being investigated
by the police and an independent commission of inquiry for the alleged rape of
Rotorua housewife Louise Nicholas in 1986.
All three men in the Nicholas case deny the claims.
Superintendent Nick Perry who is leading the 20 strong
police investigation, has so far declined to comment about the latest case.