Dominion Post
April 5, 2004

Further police rape claim
by Martin Kay

Police are investigating a second sexual complaint against suspended Waikato district commander Superintendent Kelvin Powell.

Police spokesman Michael Player said the complaint, laid about a month ago, was being investigated along with another complaint alleging sexual offences in the 1980s.

Mr Player declined to give details of the second complaint, but One News reported on Saturday it was laid by a former constable who claimed she was raped by Mr Powell at her birthday party, also in the 1980s. She did not come forward at the time as she feared she would not be believed and her career prospects would be harmed.

Lawyer Susan Hughes, acting for Mr Powell, said he totally rejected the claims, and was confident he would be cleared. Mr Powell was stood down as Waikato district commander in February.

The Government has ordered a commission of inquiry into rape claims against the police after Louise Nicholas said she was pack-raped in 1986 by then-policemen Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton, and Clint Rickards, now Auckland commander and assistant commissioner. All three have denied the allegations.

Mr Player said he did not know how many rape complaints had been made against police since Ms Nicholas came forward.