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Allegations
of Sexual Abuse |
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The Commission of
Inquiry into Police Conduct has called a public meeting on how it can pursue
its brief while criminal prosecutions are under way. It will be held at the
Wellington District Court building on April 22 and will consider submissions,
which must be filed in writing by April 15. Prime Minister Helen
Clark announced the Commission of Inquiry in February 2004. It stemmed from
allegations made by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas, who claimed she was
pack-raped and violated with a police baton as a young woman in 1986. She named assistant
police commissioner Clint Rickards and former police officers Bob Schollum
and Brad Shipton as the three men involved, although they have all vehemently
denied the allegations. Mrs Nicholas complained
to Rotorua police station in 1993 about the alleged rape, but later said she
was advised by CIB chief John Dewar not to make a written complaint. In 1995, a Police
Complaints Authority (PCA) investigation into Mr Dewar's handling of the
complaint found the failure to record and investigate the allegations showed
a gross lack of judgment and competence - which he denies. Shipton, 46, of Tauranga,
and Schollum, 52, of Napier, have been remanded on bail for a pre-depositions
hearing in Rotorua on April 15, when suspended Rickards, of Auckland, is also
due to appear. The media has been
barred from revealing any details about the historic charges the men face |
