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Allegations of abuse
by NZ Police |
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peterellis
Home / police allegations / Rickards,
Shipton, Schollum vs Jane Doe Page 4 - Initial Reaction to
Not Guilty Verdict |
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The end of the final in a series of
rape and sexual assault trials involving former and serving police officers
has cleared the way for a long-awaited report from the commission of inquiry
into police conduct. The inquiry, headed by Dame
Margaret Bazley, was set up in February 2004 after Louise Nicholas claimed
she was raped by Assistant Commissioner Clint Rickards and former officers
Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton while they were stationed in Rotorua in the
1980s. All three were later charged and acquitted after a trial in March last
year. The commission's work was at first
put on hold while that case was in its infancy, for fear of prejudicing any
possible trial, and it ran into similar issues as other women came forward
with claims of sexual misconduct against other officers. In April 2005, after months of
delays, the Government directed that the commission hold closed-door hearings
to allow it to complete its work without prejudicing police inquiries or
court action. It was to have reported on
September 30 last year, but sought a six-month extension -- the sixth delay
since it was created. Inquiry spokesman Robert Brewer
said yesterday the report was now in draft form, and would be delivered on
March 30 to Governor- General Anand Satyanand as the commission was set up by
an Order in Council. |
