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.