Otago Daily Times
April 5, 2004
Second sex complaint over superintendent
NZPA
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
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