Sunday Star Times
November 7 2004

Police commission of inquiry : the story so far

* 1993: Louise Nicholas complains to Rotorua police about an alleged pack rape by three policemen in 1986. She claims the then CIB chief John Dewar advised her not to make a written complaint, but Dewar denies any wrongdoing.

* 1995: Detective Rex Miller heads a Police Complaints Authority inquiry into Dewar's

handling of Nicholas' rape

complaints. Miller found Dewar's actions showed a gross lack of judgement, but there was no criminal offence.

* January 2004: Nicholas calls for a government inquiry into her rape claims involving two former officers and police assistant commissioner Clint Rickards.

* February 2004: Rickards is stood down on full pay by Police

Commissioner Rob Robinson, who also reopens a criminal investigation into Nicholas' allegations. Prime Minister Helen Clark announces a commission of inquiry.

* August 2004: The commission of inquiry is halted until next February, when police hope to know the outcome of the police investigation.