Otago Daily Times
April 5, 2004

Second sex complaint over superintendent
NZPA

Wellington: Suspended police superintendent Kelvin Powell is facing a second sexual complaint, this time by a former police officer.

Police national headquarters have confirmed the second complaint which, One News reported on Saturday night, involved the ex-policewoman alleging she was raped by Supt Powell at her birthday party in the 1980s.

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

Mrs Nicholas has accused Supt Powell of subjecting her to indecencies in the 1980s.

One News reported that police were told the police woman did not lay a complaint at the time because she felt she would not be believed. She also said she believed her career would be ruined if she complained.

Supt 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.

He also denied wrongdoing at the time of his stand-down as Waikato district commander two months ago. He was identified as a "person of interest" to the investigation into Mrs Nicholas' claims.

Miss Hughes said Mr Powell was "confident the inquiry would clear him of any wrong-doing and return him to full duties".

Supt Powell was the second police boss to be stood down in the course of the Louise Nicholas investigation.

Assistant Commissioner and Auckland district commander Clint Rickards was stood down after being named by Mrs Nicholas as one of three police officers who pack-raped her in the 1980s. - NZPA