The Press
April 10, 2004
Search case to go to police inquiry
by Matt Conway
A Christchurch
woman improperly body searched in a holding cell is taking her fight for
justice to the Commission of Inquiry into police conduct.
Maria Black is angry that a review by police chiefs has found her case was
appropriately settled five years ago.
Black received a confidential $25,000 payment after alleging she had been
traumatised by four police officers.
She had sued the Attorney-General over the forcible removal from her genitals
of a cigarette lighter while she was in a
Black said she regrets having accepted what she now regards as hush money.
An initial police investigation found the search was unreasonable.
Former Christchurch Inspector Grant Buchanan, who headed that investigation,
said he believed it amounted to indecent assault.
A male police officer bent Black over while two female officers prised apart
her legs. A third female officer removed the lighter.
The Press knows the names of the four officers involved but has decided, at
this stage, not to name them.
Buchanan said the search reflected "poor judgment" but was in no way
sexually motivated.
The Police Commissioner's office said it would review the case after it was
highlighted by The Press in February.
This week, police spokesman Jon Neilson said the review had been completed and
no further action was planned.
"They've done nothing again," Black responded. "They're pushing
it under the floorboards."
Black said she would now complain to the commission of inquiry set up to probe
the police pack-rape allegations made by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas, along
with other sex complaints against police.
Any information or submissions on any relevant matters would continue to be
accepted, Commission of Inquiry spokesman Colin Feslier
said.