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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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The commission of
inquiry into police conduct has been forced to ask for a second extension
because of a prolonged police investigation. The commission,
established last February in response to claims of police rape and cover-ups
made by Louise Nicholas and Judith Garrett, has been on hold since last
August. The commission decided
it should not proceed until police investigations had decided whether past
and present police officers should face criminal charges. As a result, it missed
its November reporting date stipulated in the terms of reference announced by
Prime Minister Helen Clark. The commission received an extension until
yesterday when, at a closed meeting, the commission decided that a second
extension was needed. Commission chairman
Justice Bruce Robertson said yesterday it was an application of the
principles settled upon in August, that there was a risk that police
investigations could be contaminated by the commission proceedings. Police have indicated
that a decision on whether to lay criminal charges against three men accused
of raping Louise Nicholas while police officers -- Assistant Police
Commissioner Clint Rickards and retired officers Bob Schollum and Brad
Shipton -- was imminent. "No indication has
been given as to any decision on the investigation and we have not been given
any time line as to when this might take place," he said. Commission spokesman
Robert Brewer said a request for extension until March 24 had been passed to
Attorney-General Margaret Wilson's office. The commission plans to
meet again then to review police's progress. |
