Dominion Post
April 7, 2004

Police told to ignore taunts
by Haydon Dewes

Front-line police officers are being offered words of support as they face a barrage of abuse by the public in the wake of police pack-rape allegations.

The taunts follow claims by Louise Nicholas that she was pack-raped in 1986 by two former officers, Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton, and Auckland police commander, Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards, and violated with a police baton. The men deny the allegations and say sex with Ms Nicholas was consensual. The claims sparked a commission of inquiry into police conduct.

In the latest issue of Police News, the police association's newsletter, president Greg O'Connor warns that front-line police needed to maintain their professionalism under increased public scrutiny.

"It's very important that the only winners out of this thing not be the criminals because police become so distracted," he said.

Feedback that officers were being taunted about being rapists and using their batons inappropriately was disappointing, but a part of policing.

A similar situation happened after a police officer shot dead Waitara man Steven Wallace four years ago.

"And it happens whenever police are in the spotlight for any particular reason," he said.

"It's human nature that if you are looking to hurl an insult . . . then you will use whatever ammunition available. One thing you very quickly learn as a police officer is that your insult is going to come from one angle or another from certain sectors of society and you get on with it.

"If it wasn't this, it would be something else."

He said most officers in the front line would have been in primary school when the alleged incidents took place and could easily distance themselves.

He urged all officers to ensure every offender knows they have been dealt with fairly and every victim knows police have put as much effort as possible into looking after their case.

"The best way is just to be the best at our jobs as we can possibly be. The worst thing we can do is go in to our shells because then the criminals will be the winners," he said.

Deputy police commissioner Lyn Provost also urged staff to maintain a high standard of work under increased scrutiny.

In the latest issue of the internal police magazine Ten-One, Ms Provost said being put under the spotlight of the commission of inquiry was an opportunity to prove police were open and accountable for their actions.

"That's why today, tomorrow and every day it's vitally important your professionalism shines through in your attitude, behaviour and language – whatever the circumstances."