Sunday Star Times
April 4, 2004

Senior cop faces rape complaint
by Amie Richardson

Suspended superintendent Kelvin Powell is facing a second sexual complaint, police national headquarters confirmed last night.

Police spokesman Michael Player said the complaint was made a month ago as part of the police inquiries into rape claims made by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas.

It follows an earlier complaint against Powell by Nicholas, who accused the senior officer of subjecting her to indecencies in the 1980s.

Player said the public was not told about the complaint, revealed on One News last night, because it was "not usual practice". He conceded that there could be other complaints about officers the public did not know about.

One News said the latest allegation came from a former police constable. She told police investigators she had been raped by Powell at her birthday party in the 1980s.

One News reported that police were told she didn't lay a complaint at the time because she didn't think she'd be believed. She also said she believed her career would be ruined if she complained.

Powell, through his lawyer Susan Hughes, completely denied any wrongdoing. He said it was the first time he had heard of the rape allegation and would seek details from police.

At the time of his stand-down, Powell strongly denied any wrongdoing. Hughes said he was "confident the inquiry would clear him of any wrong-doing and return him to full duties".

The investigation team is now looking into the claim.

Player said the high-profile nature of the complaint, and that it was against a senior police officer, did not mean police were more likely to release details. Although he was "not aware" of any other complainants, he did not rule out the possibility that there were others.

"I am not aware of any that I could confirm, but I couldn't rule it out. As the inquiry extends, the potential for others (complainants) to come forward increases."

Powell was to leave in August as security chief for our Olympic athletes. He was stood down two months ago.