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This page last updated
March 20 2005
2004-1220 - NZ Herald -
Nicholas case man returns to work
A former senior detective accused by Louise Nicholas of a cover-up of her
complaint of being pack-raped by three policemen in Rotorua has returned to
his St John Ambulance job. John Dewar returned last month as human resources
manager of St John Midland region after nine months special leave to enable
him to prepare for a commission of inquiry ordered by the Government over Ms
Nicholas allegations.
2004-1200 - Investigate
Australia - (An extract from) Pawns in a game
New
March 20 2005
by Ian Wishart - Investigate can throw another similar case into the ring
that of senior Rotorua police officer Evan Jordan (now deceased)
Jordan
was a corrupt cop who had a habit of arresting attractive young women on
various misdemeanor charges in Rotorua then arranging to drop the
prosecutions in exchange for sexual favours. Although eventually prosecuted
for rape in Rotorua in the mid nineties, he got off.
2004-1119 Nelson Mail
- Police credibility damaged yet again
Editorial - The image of the New Zealand police has copped a pounding so far
this year.
. Rape allegations against three police officers earlier this
year - albeit stemming from an incident said to have happened in 1986 -
represented another stain that must have been most unwelcome to the often
insular police community
2004-1111 - NZ Herald -
Police officers committed for trial
Three police officers who appeared in the Manukau District Court last week
for a depositions hearing have been committed for trial
2004-1108 ACT Party - PM's
Ill-Judgement Costs Taxpayers Dearly
by Dr Muriel Newman - ACT New Zealand Deputy Leader and Police
Spokesman Dr Muriel Newman today accused Prime Minister Helen Clark of
wasting taxpayers' money, after a commission of inquiry into police conduct
over the past 20 years started too early
2004-1107 - Sunday Star Times -
Police commission of inquiry : the story so far
Brief chronology of events listed
2004-1107 - Sunday Star Times -
$183,000 inquiry a waste, says QC
by Rachel Grunwell - Top QC Peter Williams says the commission of inquiry
into police conduct over the past two decades has wasted $183,000 of taxpayers'
money by starting too early. The commission of inquiry - begun in March after
historic rape allegations by Rotorua woman Louise Nicholas - is on hold until
February.
2004-1030 - NZ Herald -
Woman told to shut up about sexual violation
by Phil Taylor - A Bay of Plenty woman who alleges a policeman
sexually violated her says she has been intimidated in an attempt to stop her
pursuing a complaint. Donna Johnson said she complained to police soon after
the incident in 1995 but told the Weekend Herald she was warned off by an
officer she now believes to be a friend of the offender
2004-1023 - NZPA - Police rape
inquiry goes on hold
The commission of inquiry into police conduct sparked by rape allegations
made by Louise Nicholas of Rotorua and Judith Garrett of Kaitaia is on hold
until February 7. An investigation must first decide whether past and present
officers should face criminal charges
2004-1020 The Press - Rape was
17 years ago, says woman
by Jarrod Booker - A Christchurch woman's claim she was raped by a police
officer in Rotorua 17 years ago is being investigated by Bay of Plenty's
top detective. Niki Koster, 38, decided to go to police to complain after
Louise Nicholas went public in January with allegations she was pack-raped
and violated with a baton by three police officers in Rotorua in 1986
2004-1020 One News - New
police rape allegation
Police have confirmed that an investigation is underway into a new
allegation of rape against a police officer. They say a complaint was made by
a woman now living in Christchurch
against an officer in Rotorua she says raped her in 1987.
2004-1020 - NZ Herald -
Rape claim against police under investigation
A Christchurch woman's claim she was
raped by a police officer in Rotorua 17 years ago is being investigated by Bay of Plenty's top detective. Niki Koster,
38, decided to go to police to complain after Louise Nicholas went public in
January with allegations she was pack-raped and violated with a baton by
three police officers in Rotorua in 1986.
Ms Koster claimed the officer who
raped her had been drinking with two senior officers earlier on the night in
1987 when the incident took place.
2004-1020 Newstalk ZB -
Rape complaint against Rotorua policeman
A fresh historical rape complaint against a police officer is under
investigation. A Christchurch
woman has complained she was sexually violated by a Rotorua officer in 1987.
2004-1008 Newstalk ZB -
Police officer faces sex charges
A former police officer has been charged in the Auckland District
Court with rape and other sex offences dating back 16 years. The 45-year-old,
who has name suppression, faces seven indictable charges relating to
allegations made by a Northland woman. The complainant alleges she was raped
at a Northland police station in March 1988.
2004-1004 Waikato Times
- Rickards study claims denied
Police today denied claims the former Waikato police chief at the centre of
pack-rape allegations is studying at a university in Sydney and making
regular trips back to New Zealand while on full pay
2004-1004 One News -
Rickards' $5,000 weekly pay "untrue"
The Herald on Sunday reported that Rickards and his girlfriend,
Inspector Tania Eden, are being paid $5,000 a week while studying in
Australia. But the general manager of human resources for the police, Wayne
Annan, said the couple are living in New Zealand
full time. He said Eden has returned to work
in Auckland
2004-1004 Newstalk ZB -
Police deny claims about Rickards
Police say reports the officer at the centre of pack rape allegations
and his partner, are being paid to live and study in Sydney are untrue
.He
says both continue to live in New Zealand full-time and Inspector Eden has
returned to work in Auckland.
2004-1004 - NZ Herald -
Rickards studies law
The police commander off work since allegations in January of a pack rape by
police officers is studying to be a lawyer in Sydney while on full pay. The Herald on
Sunday reported yesterday that Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards
and his partner, Inspector Tania Eden, who is on stress leave, are studying
at Charles Sturt University
2004-0930 - NZ Herald -
Workload surge taxes watchdog
New Feb
17 2005
by Louisa Cleave - The police Complaints Authority is
struggling to clear a two-year backlog of complaints
..Judge Borrin said
he had asked for more resourcing because the authority's new structure as the
Independent Police Complaints Authority had been held up by the Commission of
Inquiry into historical allegations of rape by police officers
2004-0831 Dominion Post
- Police probe may be held in private
NZPA - Evidence to a commission of inquiry on police conduct could be heard
behind closed doors. Prime Minister Helen Clark said yesterday that was an
option, after last week's announcement that the inquiry was on hold, possibly
for years, till an investigation decided if police officers facing rape
allegations should be charged.
2004-0830
Newstalk ZB - Rape allegations inquiry may be secret
It now looks as though the Commission of Inquiry into allegations that
police raped two women may have to go behind closed doors. The inquiry has
been delayed while the commissioners decide how they can conduct the inquiry
at the same time as the policemen involved are prosecuted.
2004-0828 - Stuff - Nicholas
accepts police rape inquiry delay
NZPA - The woman whose rape allegation sparked the
Commission of Inquiry into police conduct accepts the need to delay the
commission's investigation.
After yesterday's announcement, Mrs Nicholas
said she had been hoping the matter would have been "all over and done
with" this year. "But it's not going to be, and I appreciate the
fact that it's a big investigation by the police and it's going to take a
while," she told National Radio
2004-0828 - NZ Herald -
Police-rape inquiry delayed
NZPA - The inquiry into police sexual misconduct could be
delayed for years, after being put on hold to avoid conflict with any
criminal proceedings. The inquiry, which arose out of allegations by Louise
Nicholas of Rotorua and Judith Garrett of Kaitaia that they were raped by
police officers in the 1980s, yesterday announced that it had adjourned until
October 22.
2004-0828 Dominion
Post - Police rape inquiry on hold
by Haydon Dewes - The commission of inquiry into police conduct is on hold --
possibly for years -- till an investigation decides whether past and present
officers should face criminal charges. The commission announced yesterday it
would not meet again till late October and had no plans to begin hearing
evidence till any possible court action had finished.
2004-0827 One News - Police
rape case delayed
The commission of inquiry into the handling of rape complaints against
police officers has been put on hold at least till November because of fears
it might interfere with criminal cases.
.. there will be no automatic
suppression and they will hear all evidence in public. But they have also
found that if they hear evidence while criminal charges are pending, they
could endanger the right of any accused to a fair trial.
2004-0827
Newstalk ZB - Disappointment as inquiry is delayed
The Police Commissioner is disappointed an inquiry into allegations of
police misconduct has been delayed until later in the year. Justice Bruce
Robinson and Dame Margaret Bazeley are investigating accusations by two woman
involving police pack rapes. The matter has been adjourned while further
details are looked into
2004-0814 Dominion
Post - Police rape inquiry divided over publicity
by Haydon Dewes - The heads of the commission of inquiry into police conduct
have retired to consider whether hearings should be held in public and
whether the media can report them.
2004-0813 One News - Police
processes on trial
The commission of inquiry into police conduct is looking at least a
dozen complaints about the way police handled allegations of sexual
misconduct by their own officers. At a hearing on Friday morning the
commission agonised over whether to hear the cases in public. A public
meeting of the commission of inquiry into police conduct is a rarity. It's
only met for four days out of a scheduled 34.
2004-0809 - NZ Herald -
Ex-officer on sex charges given name suppression
NZPA - A former police officer has appeared in the
Whangarei District Court charged with rape and other sex offences that are
alleged to have happened more than a decade ago. The man, who was granted
name suppression, is facing seven indictable charges, all relating to the
same woman, including four alleging rape. The man is charged with four counts
of raping the woman on the same day more than a decade ago, three counts of
sexually violating her by unlawful sexual connection, and one count of
assault.
2004-0808 - Sunday Star Times - Cop on
rape charges
New Feb
17 2005
A former police officer appeared in the Whangarei District Court yesterday
charged with rape and other sex offences that are alleged to have happened
more than a decade ago. The man, who was granted name suppression, is facing
seven indictable charges, all relating to the same woman, including four
alleging rape
2004-0808 - Sunday Star Times
- Police bug telephone of rape-accused cops
by Miriyana Alexander - The telephones of the top cop and two former officers
accused of raping Louise Nicholas almost 20 years ago are being bugged by
police investigating her claims. The Sunday Star-Times understands the courts
issued an interception warrant several months ago against police assistant
commissioner Clint Rickards and former officers Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton,
who strenuously deny rape and say the sex was consensual.
2004-0704 - Sunday Star Times -
Fair trial doubts for police accused of rape
Legal experts question whether Assistant Police
Commissioner Clint Rickards and two former officers can be fairly tried if
they are charged over allegations they pack-raped Louise
Nicholas.
..Criminal defence lawyer Greg King, a member of the NZ Law
Society's criminal law committee, and Auckland University constitutional and
employment law expert Dr Bill Hodge, are concerned the trio might not get a
fair hearing if charged. Reasons include:
·
An unfair delay in
reaching court.
·
The publicity already
generated would make it impossible for a fair trial.
·
Evidence is old and
critical witnesses may have died.
·
Original police files may
have been lost.
·
The sex was consensual.
2004-0619 - NZ Herald - Net in
police rape probe spread wide
by Eugene Bingham - Hundreds of people have been
interviewed as part of the criminal investigation into allegations a Rotorua
woman was pack-raped by police, but a decision on charges is still some way
off. It is understood the three accused have not yet been interviewed even
though one of them, Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards, has been stood
down from his job as Auckland Central commander since January
2004-0617 - Dominion Post -
Hearing into police misconduct postponed again
Public hearings for the commission of inquiry into
police misconduct have been postponed again, this time until August.
Commissioners Justice Bruce Robertson and Dame Margaret Bazley yesterday met
lawyers for all parties involved in closed chambers to review progress in
preparing evidence for the hearings. They were originally scheduled to begin
this month. However, at the last hearing on May 24, when police gave evidence
on how rules and guidelines for police were disseminated, Mr Robertson said
delays in gathering evidence meant those alleging misconduct would not appear
before the commission until at least July.
2004-0617 - NZ Herald - Police misconduct
hearing postponed
Public hearings for the commission of inquiry into
police misconduct have been postponed until August. They were originally
scheduled to begin this month
2004-0614 - Dominion Post - Hearing date due
for police rape case
A decision on when the commission of inquiry into
police conduct will begin to hear evidence from those alleging misconduct
should be made on Wednesday. Commissioners Justice Bruce Robertson and Dame
Margaret Bazley will meet lawyers for all parties involved, to review
progress in preparing evidence. The meeting will be held in closed chambers.
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