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This page last updated March 8 2005
2004-0529 - Otago Daily Times - Rape inquiry
delay
NZPA - The head of a commission of inquiry into police conduct confirmed
yesterday there will be no evidential hearings next month.
2004-0528 - NZ Herald -
Inquiry into police rape allegations delayed
NZPA - The head of a commission of inquiry into police conduct confirmed
today there will be no evidential hearings next month. The commission was
established after Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas alleged in January she was
packraped and violated with a police baton by three police officers in 1986,
when she was 18. The commission is to look at evidence relating to Ms
Nicholas' and other similar cases and has indicated women will get a chance
to tell their stories if they wish.
2004-0525 - Dominion Post - Police lack
follow-up on rules inquiry told
by Haydon Dewes - Police have no way of checking whether rules relayed to all
staff are actually received or understood, the commission of inquiry into
police conduct has been told. ……..The commission received evidence yesterday
on how officers were expected to respond when an allegation of sexual assault
was made against a colleague. Five large ring-binders full of police rules -
known as general instructions or GIs - policy advisories, internal memos, and
manuals of best practice stretching back to 1979 and covering the 25 years
being looked at by the commission, were presented as evidence by police
witness, Superintendent Dave Trappitt.
2004-0525 - Otago Daily Times - More delays
likely in police Commission of Inquiry
NZPA - Evidence relating to women who have claimed they were raped by police
officers is unlikely to be heard by a commission of inquiry into police
conduct until at least July, commission head Justice Bruce Robertson said
yesterday
2004-0525 - NZ Herald - Police rape inquiry
faces more delays
NZPA - Evidence relating to women who have claimed they were raped by police
officers is unlikely to be heard by a commission of inquiry into police
conduct until at least July, commission head Justice Bruce Robertson said
yesterday.
2004-0524 - NZ Herald - More delays likely in
police pack rape commission inquiry
Evidence relating to women who have claimed they were raped by police
officers is unlikely to be heard by a Commission of Inquiry into police
conduct until at least July, commission head Justice Bruce Robertson said
today...... Justice Robertson said he and fellow commissioner Dame Margaret
Bazley wanted to hear evidence from all the parties involved in specific
incidents together. "There would be a real injustice if we heard one
aspect or account and then there was a lengthy delay before hearing other
parts of it."
2004-0524 - NZ Herald - Inquiry begins into
police handling of complaints against officers
NZPA - Police today outlined their procedures for
dealing with sexual complaints and complaints against other police officers
to a commission of inquiry hearing, convened after allegations of sexual
offending by police officers. The hearing today signals the start of 3-1/2
months of hearings that will put police and the way they have handled
complaints of sexual abuse by officers during the past 25 years under the
spotlight.
2004-0524 - Newstalk ZB - Rape complaint
hearings delayed
The Commission of Inquiry into police handling of rape complaints says next
month's hearings are now unlikely to go ahead. The announcement was made at
the end of today's hearing. Inquiry head Justice Bruce Robertson says the
commission needs more evidence about how complaints against police officers
were recorded, and how such registers were maintained.
2004-0524 - Newstalk ZB - Commission hears
rape complaint procedures
Superintendent Dave Trappett, the national manager of planning and policy for
the police, told the hearing a 1980 instruction confirmed that officers
committing criminal offences should not be treated differently to the general
public. Investigators were also to use the same skills in those circumstances
as in any general criminal investigation
2004-0524 - Newstalk ZB - Police conduct
hearing begins
Details of police regulations for dealing with complaints have been spelt
out, at a hearing of the Commission of Inquiry into police conduct. The
commission - established after allegations by Louise Nicholas that police in
Rotorua pack raped her - is sitting in Wellington today.
2004-0524 - Dominion Post
- The Main Players
New
March 8 2005
by Haydon Dewes - Police will explain how they are supposed to deal with
sexual complaints against fellow officers at a commission of inquiry hearing
today. It signals the start of 31/2 months of hearings that will put police,
and the way they have handled complaints of sexual abuse by their own during
the past 25 years, under the spotlight. The commission was sparked by
allegations made in The Dominion Post in January by Rotorua woman Louise
Nicholas that she was pack-raped and violated with a police baton in 1986,
when she was 18, by three police officers.
2004-0524 - Dominion Post - Police on mat
over sex complaints
Police will explain how they are supposed to deal with sexual complaints
against fellow officers at a Commission of Inquiry hearing today, convened
after allegations of sexual offending by police officers. The commission
signals the start of 3˝ months of hearings that will put police, and the way
they have handled complaints of sexual abuse by their own during the past 25
years, under the spotlight.
2004-0514 - Otago Daily Times - Rape inquiry
legislation passed
MPs yesterday united to unanimously pass legislation allowing a commission of
inquiry set up after allegations of police pack rape to consider previously
confidential information. The Police Complaints Authority (Commission of
Inquiry into Police Conduct) Amendment Bill will allow the commission to see
files covered at present by secrecy provisions.
2004-0514 - Newstalk ZB - Historical alleged
police rape case reopened
Police
have reopened the other historical rape case specifically cited for attention
by the Commission of Inquiry. They are reinvestigating Kaitaia woman Judith
Garrett's allegation she was raped by a local police officer in 1988. Charges
were never laid against Constable Timothy Ogle, after Ms Garrett complained
he lured her into the Kaitaia police station one night and raped her. He was
discharged from the police, but no further action was taken. Ms Garrett
alleges a cover-up.
2004-0513 - Newstalk ZB - Police secret files
can be opened
The
way has been cleared for all confidential files relevant to the inquiry into
police conduct to be opened. Parliament has voted to pass the Police
Complaints Authority Amendment Bill which effectively extinguishes the power
of the PCA to keep files secret. The bill was rushed through Parliament's
order paper in March, to speed the process of the Commission of Inquiry
2004-0513 - Stuff - MPs united to restore
confidence in police
NZPA - MPs today united to unanimously pass legislation allowing a Commission
of Inquiry set up after allegations of police pack rape to consider
previously confidential information. The Police Complaints Authority
(Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct) Amendment Bill will allow the
commission to see files currently covered by secrecy provisions. The
Government set up the commission to inquire into police conduct and procedure
when receiving and investigating allegations of sexual assault made against
members of the police or their associates.
2004-0513 - NZ Herald - Law puts limits on
rape inquiry
NZPA - The commission of inquiry set up after allegations of a police pack
rape has had limits placed on its ability to disclose evidence to the public.
MPs last night agreed to surprise changes to a proposed law retrospectively
scrapping the privacy of evidence to the Police Complaints Authority. The
Government wants the commission to see secret files so it can get to the
bottom of allegations of police misconduct.
2004-0513 - Dominion Post - Limits on pack
rape inquiry
NZPA - The commission of inquiry into allegations of a police pack rape has
had some limits placed on its ability to disclose evidence to the public. MPs
last night agreed to surprise changes to a proposed law retrospectively
scrapping the privacy of evidence to the Police Complaints Authority. The
Government wants the commission to see files covered by secrecy provisions so
it can get to the bottom of allegations of police misconduct. ACT MP Stephen
Franks told Parliament he was concerned a retrospective repeal of
confidential evidence laws would undermine the authority's work.
2004-0506 - Otago Daily Times - Police
chief's statements seem at odds
Letter
to the Editor by Gerald Smith: In February, I watched Police Commissioner Rob
Robinson speaking on Breakfast television about the group sex controversy
concerning Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards
2004-0505 - Dominion Post - Secret police
files to be opened
by
Paul Mulrooney - Thousands of secret files will be thrown open after a select
committee ruled that a commission of inquiry, investigating past rape
allegations against police, could inspect them. Parliament's law and order
select committee has recommended that temporary provisions in the Police
Complaints Authority Amendment Bill be granted allowing the commission to
inspect secret police files. The commission should be able to decide itself
whether some secret evidence should be suppressed, it has ruled.
2004-0505 - The Press - Open files -
committee
by
Paul Mulrooney - A parliamentary select committee has ruled that a commission
of inquiry investigating historic rape allegations against police can inspect
formerly secret police complaints files. Parliament's law and order select
committee has recommended that temporary provisions in the Police Complaints
Authority Amendment Bill be granted allowing the commission to inspect secret
police files.
2004-0505 - NZ Herald - Police files lose
secrecy to commission of inquiry
NZPA - Thousands of secret police files will be thrown open after a select
committee ruled that a commission of inquiry investigating past rape
allegations against police can inspect them. Parliament's law and order
select committee has recommended that temporary provisions in the Police
Complaints Authority Amendment Bill be granted allowing the commission to
inspect the files.
2004-0504 - One News - Inquiry to get police
rape details
A
parliamentary select committee has rejected concerns that the Commission of
Inquiry into the handling of police rape claims could harm officers who have
given information to the Police Complaints Authority. The committee has
reported back on legislation that would open up the authority's files to the
commission.
2004-0422 - Evening Standard -
Police Commission
by Louise Nicholas, the Rotorua woman who triggered a commission of
inquiry into police conduct after alleging she was pack-raped by a group of
police in the 1980s will give her first statement to the commission's lawyers
in Wellington today
2004-0422 - Dominion Post - Police warn
against lifting secrecy provisions
by Haydon Dewes - Lifting secrecy provisions on Police Complaints Authority
evidence would cause long-term damage to all independent watchdogs who rely
on anonymous information, the Police Association has warned. The law and
order select committee is considering an amendment to the Police Complaints
Authority Act to allow the commission of inquiry into police conduct to see
files covered by secrecy provisions.
2004-0421 - Newstalk ZB - Police Guild appeals
for protection
Police Officers' Guild says there must be protection from self-incrimination
for those giving evidence to rape inquiry. The Police Officers' Guild wants
protection for anyone giving evidence to the sexual misconduct Commission of
Inquiry. The organisation has made a submission to the select committee
deciding the inquiry's terms of reference.
2004-0421 - NZ Herald - Special bill for
police rape claims said to go too far
NZPA - Retrospectively scrapping the privacy of evidence to the Police
Complaints Authority (PCA) would undermine its past and future work, the
Police Association said today. ....Greg O'Connor, Police Association
president, told MPs that the special bill to introduce temporary provisions
enabling the commission to see PCA files on the matter went too far.
2004-0419 - NZ Herald - Police attitudes to
rape attacked
by Martin Johnston - Police attitudes to rape stymie the investigation of
many women's sexual assault complaints, a researcher says. Victoria University
criminologist Dr Jan Jordan, who addressed a sexual abuse treatment
conference which ended in Auckland
at the weekend, wants specialist police trained to investigate all sexual
assault complaints.
2004-0417 - Dominion Post - Rape commission
rulings
The commission of inquiry into historic rape allegations against police has
turned down a request to deal only with illegal sexual conduct. .....In a
ruling issued last night, the commission said it had no wish for an inquiry
into police morality. However, it would examine non-criminal sexual behaviour
if there was a link with the standards expected of police.
2004-0417
-Otago Daily Times - Inquiry not looking at police morals
NZPA
- The Commission of Inquiry looking into allegations of police misconduct
says it will not be undertaking a general investigation of the private
morality of police officers.
2004-0417 - Newstalk ZB - Inquiry won't dig
deep into police privacy
The commission has released its first ruling, outlining the definitions of
sexual assault and unprofessional behaviour. It has rejected submissions that
it should confine its investigations to allegations of unlawful sexual
conduct. But it says it is not going to be involved with generalised
questions of morality.
2004-0417 - Stuff - Commission 'not
investigating police morals'
NZPA - The Commission of Inquiry looking into allegations of police
misconduct says it will not be undertaking a general investigation of the
private morality of police officers. ….It said its approach would be that the
inquiry was based on concerns of people who alleged they had been
inappropriately treated by police or their associates, had complained about
it, and remained dissatisfied with the response.
2004-0416 - NZ Herald - Government won't pay
rape inquiry legal bills
NZPA - The Government will not pay the legal bills of those involved in
police rape allegation inquiries. But the Dominion Post said today it understood
the government may appoint lawyers to help people giving evidence at a
commission of inquiry into the allegations. The commission will look at
police handling of rape complaints against serving officers
2004-0416 - Nelson Mail - Govt won't pay
legal costs
The Government will not pay the legal bills of those involved in police rape
allegation inquiries
2004-0416 - Waikato Times - Govt won't pay rape probe bills
The Government will not pay the legal bills of those involved in police rape
allegation inquiries. But it is understood it may appoint lawyers to help
people giving evidence at a commission of inquiry into the allegations. The
commission will look at police handling of rape complaints against serving
officers.
2004-0416 - Dominion Post - Government won't
pay rape inquiry legal bills
by Gordon Jon Thompson - The Government will not pay the legal bills of those
involved in police rape allegation inquiries. But it is understood it may
appoint lawyers to help people giving evidence at a commission of inquiry
into the allegations. The commission will look at police handling of rape
complaints against serving officers.
2004-0414 - The Press - Police rape case
Letter to the Editor by M D Sim I am annoyed by the constant reporting on the
Louise Nicholas rape case. Almost all the "news" is from her view
point, condemning the policemen involved. You overlook the basic legal
requirement that all men (people) are innocent until proven guilty. What if
these policemen are innocent?
2004-0412 - NZ Herald - One of police-rape
accused sells stake in BOP bars
Former policeman Brad Shipton - one of several men facing allegations of
historical sexual misconduct - has sold his interest in three Bay of Plenty
bars
2004-0410 - Dominion Post - Police lawyers
call for limits on rape inquiry
by Paul Mulrooney and NZPA - A commission of inquiry into historic rape
allegations against police has been told it should only deal with police conduct
where there was a suggestion of criminal activity. Lawyers representing both
the police and its union, the Police Association, told the inquiry that its
terms of reference should be limited to allegations of criminal sexual
activity by officers and it should not be concerned with matters which were
not unlawful but might be considered immoral or unethical.
2004-0410 - The Press - 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.
2004-0409 - NZ Herald - Leave police
officers' lifestyles alone, pack rape inquiry told
by Simon Randall - The commission looking into police conduct over historic
rape allegations should not cover officers' lifestyle choices in its inquiry,
police lawyers say…….But High Court judge Bruce Robertson, who heads the
inquiry with Dame Margaret Bazley, said it was inappropriate to restrict the
scope of the inquiry by giving "formulaic" definitions of what was
"in or out or roundabout".
2004-0408 - Dominion Post - Rape inquiry
A commission of inquiry into police conduct over historical rape allegations
meets again today
2004-0408 - Newstalk ZB - Officers' private behaviour under
discussion
Police lawyer Kristy McDonald told the commissioners that she agreed with a
Police Association submission that the commission should not concern itself
with questions of morality. She said members of the police, like anyone else,
were free to engage in any sexual practice, as long as it did not impact on
the integrity of the force, or their ability to do their job.
2004-0408 - Newstalk ZB - Police rape inquiry
brief is queried
Lawyer for the police Kristy McDonald is querying several definitions in the
Commission's brief. She says it refers to sexual assault, but does not define
exactly what is meant by that. Ms McDonald says there is concern about
private conduct, but she believes the commission should not be concerning
itself with matters of morality
2004-0408 - One News - Police inquiry limited
The commission has been told it should not investigate the cases of some
former police officers, accused of rape, because they could face criminal
charges. Commission Chairman Justice Bruce Robertson says the inquiry will
ensure everyone's rights will be protected.
2004-0408 - Newstalk ZB - Second meeting of
police rape complaints inquiry
The Commission of Inquiry into police conduct over rape complaints holds its
second meeting in Wellington
today. The Government is rushing through legislation giving the commission
access to Police Complaints Authority material, after the new body warned
secrecy provisions would be a major hurdle.
2004-0407 - Dominion Post - Police told to
ignore taunts
by Haydon Dewes - Front-line police officers are being offered words of
support as they face a barrage of abuse by the public in the wake of police
pack-rape allegations………In the latest issue of Police News, the police
association's newsletter, president Greg O'Connor warns that front-line
police needed to maintain their professionalism under increased public
scrutiny
2004-0406 - Nelson Mail -
Assistance possible
The
Government is considering ways to give assistance to women who have
complained of being raped by police when the allegations are investigated by
the Commission of Inquiry
2004-0406 - Dominion Post - Legal aid ruled
out for rape inquiry
by Gordon Jon Thompson - The Cabinet is looking at previous commissions of
inquiry to see how best to help complainants in the investigation into police
rape allegations. The issue was discussed at yesterday's Cabinet meeting,
with the Government under pressure to contribute to the women's legal costs.
Officials are considering how much money may be needed and where it would
come from. Attorney-General Margaret Wilson said because the commission of
inquiry was not a criminal trial, giving legal aid was not an option.
2004-0406 - Otago Daily Times - Rape claim
help plan
The
Government is considering ways to assist women who have complained of being
raped by police when the allegations are investigated by the Commission of
Inquiry. Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday there had been approaches
about help. "We think it is desirable they are assisted with
representation. We are currently considering what the best way of achieving
that is," she said at her post-cabinet press conference
2004-0405 - Dominion Post - Further police
rape claim
by Martin Kay - Police are investigating a second sexual complaint against
suspended Waikato district commander
Superintendent Kelvin Powell. ....Lawyer Susan Hughes, acting for Mr Powell,
said he totally rejected the claims, and was confident he would be cleared.
Mr Powell was stood down as Waikato district
commander in February.
2004-0405 - Otago Daily Times - Second sex
complaint over superintendent
NZPA - Wellington:
Suspended police superintendent Kelvin Powell is facing a second sexual
complaint, this time by a former police officer. Police national headquarters
have confirmed the second complaint which, One News reported on Saturday
night, involved the ex-policewoman alleging she was raped by Supt Powell at
her birthday party in the 1980s
2004-0405 - NZ Herald - Rape claim astonishes
police chief
by Jo-Marie Brown - Waikato's suspended police chief, Kelvin Powell, is astonished
that a second woman has accused him of sexual misconduct, and was not even
told the complaint existed until the media found out
2004-0405_Stuff_Further police rape claim
Police are investigating a second sexual complaint against suspended Waikato
district commander Superintendent Kelvin Powell. Police spokesman Michael
Player said the complaint, laid about a month ago, was being investigated
along with another complaint alleging sexual offences in the 1980s.
2004-0404 - NZ Herald - Former policewoman
accuses top cop of rape
NZPA - There is confirmation that another top police officer faces an
allegation of rape. Waikato district
commander Kelvin Powell was stood down two months ago, but at the time no
reason was given. It has now been disclosed a former policewoman has claimed
she was raped by Mr Powell during the 1980s.
2004-0404 - Newstalk ZB - Waikato police boss
stood down over rape complaint
There is confirmation that another top police officer faces an allegation of
rape. Waikato district commander Kelvin
Powell was stood down two months ago, but at the time no reason was given. It
has now been disclosed a former policewoman has claimed she was raped by Mr
Powell during the 1980s. She did not speak up at the time because of fears it
would ruin her career
2004-0404 - One News - Powell denies rape
allegations
The latest senior police officer to be accused of serious sexual misconduct
says he has not committed any such offence….. police say a former policewoman
has accused Mr Powell of committing a sexual offence against her, about 20
years ago. But his lawyer Susan Hughes says they have not heard from the
police commissioner's office and are still seeking details of the claim.
2004-0404 - Sunday Star Times - Second sexual
complaint made against senior cop
Suspended Superintendent Kelvin Powell is facing a second sexual complaint,
police national headquarters confirmed last night. Police spokesman Michael
Player said the complaint was made a month ago as part of the police
inquiries into rape claims made by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas.
2004-0404 - Sunday Star Times - Senior cop
faces rape complaint
by Amie Richardson - Suspended superintendent Kelvin Powell is facing a
second sexual complaint, police national headquarters confirmed last night.
One News said the latest allegation came from a former police constable. She
told police investigators she had been raped by Powell at her birthday party
in the 1980s. One News reported that police were told she didn't lay a
complaint at the time because she didn't think she'd be believed. She also
said she believed her career would be ruined if she complained
2004-0403 - One News - Powell faces rape
allegations
Another of New Zealand's top police officers is facing an allegation of rape.
Waikato district commander Kelvin Powell was
stood down two months ago, but at the time police refused to say why. Now it
has come to light that a former policewoman claims he raped her during the
1980's. The former constable claims she was raped by Powell at a birthday
party, but says she didn't lay a complaint at the time for fear it would ruin
her career.
2004-0403 - Dominion Post - Finding strength
by Gordon Jon Thompson - The price of getting her complaints against police
taken seriously has been high, but Louise Nicholas keeps telling herself she
must go on. The strain is taking its toll on Louise Nicholas. She seems
smaller than she should be, or was. She is also tired, has been for a while.
The month of almost daily interviews with police coupled with the pressure of
going public with her allegations of police pack rape have been gruelling.
2004-0403 - Dominion Post - Rape inquiry: who
will pay?
by Gordon Jon Thompson - The Cabinet is to consider paying the legal fees of
women who have come forward to the commission of inquiry into police rape
allegations as pressure mounts for the Government to help. Rotorua woman
Louise Nicholas, who sparked the commission of inquiry after alleging she was
pack-raped by three police officers in 1986, called yesterday for the
Government to pay her legal fees. Mrs Nicholas said last night she was
delighted the Cabinet would consider her request.
2004-0403 - The Press - Govt may cover legal
fees
from Dominion Post - The Cabinet is to consider paying the legal fees of
women who have come forward to the commission of inquiry into allegations of
police rapes as pressure mounts for the Government to help.
2004-0401 - Dominion Post - Submissions open
for police bill
The public are being asked for thoughts on the Police Complaints Authority
(Commission of Inquiry into Police Conduct) Amendment Bill. The bill changes
the Police Complaints Authority Act 1988.
2004-0401 - Otago Daily Times - Submissions
NZPA - Parliament is calling for submissions on proposed legislation to allow
a commission of inquiry, sparked by allegations of police pack rape, to see
files covered by secrecy provisions in the law.
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