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This page last updated June 2 2007
March 9 2007; Selective
morality of Hubbard and Prime Minister highlighted
Jim Hopkins writes. "According to Auckland's Mayor, Mr
Rickards' conduct 25 years ago demonstrates a standard of behaviour that is
"unacceptable" and "unbecoming". No past tense there. It is
unacceptable. Clint Rickards may have been acquitted - but only by a jury.
Twice. After (in one case at least) hearing the testimony of accuser and
accused. But they didn't hear Mr Hubbard or the Prime Minister. She's certain
whatever happened all those years ago wasn't consensual. The women were
younger. The men were older. And in uniform. Case closed.
No matter that the Police knew
about this in 1994 and considered it such "disgraceful conduct"
that they subsequently promoted Mr Rickards four times, because things have
changed. Close as they are to the Beehive, his commanders have seen the light
and are now quite happy to (disgracefully?) leak any bit of dirt (Sex on car
bonnet - Rickards faces new claim - Herald, March 3) that might blacken his
reputation.
A Cabinet Minister facing historic
allegations of assault can be reinstated after arguing that times were
different then and he is a changed man now, but there'll be no such
redemption for Clint. Perhaps we expect a higher standard of our Police than we
do of our Cabinet Ministers. Perhaps forgiveness, like morality, is
selective.
2007-0309 - NZ Herald - Life is good
- for some
March 9 2007; Prime
Minister attack on Rickards noted
The National Business Review referred to the Prime
Minister "wading into" the case by "delivering a scathing attack
on would-be police commissioner Clint Rickards after he was found not guilty
of rape"
2007-0309 - National Business Review - The
two hot scandals of the week
March 8 2007; Call for
tougher sentences for false rape claims
Men's lobby group Union
of Fathers, drove back and forwards past the Auckland rally heckling over the loud
speaker and calling for 10-year jail sentences for those who made false
claims of rape
2007-0308 - Stuff - Protest ends with
police dummy set alight
March 8 2007; Protests in Wellington and Auckland
about rape
In Wellington,
a protest involving a few hundred women blocked the street outside the police
station. The
protesters were confronted by a line of female officers barring the entrance.
Protester
Vanessa Cameron-Lewis (bottom left above) screamed as it appeared she
was being denied entry to the station
Later, outside the High Court, an effigy of a police officer was burned and
the words "Justice for Rape Survivors" were sprayed in red paint on
the court doors. Organiser Lenka
Rochford says it shows the community is fed up with the justice system and its
lack of support for rape victims.
In Auckland,
traffic came to a standstill as a police escort led more than 250 people in
an anti-rape march down Queen
St. Auckland
Women's Centre spokeswoman Leonie Morris called for a full
investigation into the justice system.
Rape survivor and Green MP Sue Bradford called for
an apology from the police. Another rape survivor said she was
"put on trial" as a victim: She was cross-examined..
In Christchurch
about 10 women turned up for a candlelight vigil. Organiser Jo Paine says
those present signed a card which thanks the complainants in the rape trials
for their "courage", describing them as "brave, strong and
truthful".
Former MP
Laila Harre said that while those accused of serious crimes had a
right to justice and to be heard, the victims in the rape cases had not
withdrawn their accusations. "And those accusations still stand,"
"This was an abuse of power and it has to stop,"
Area
Commander for the Wellington City Police, Inspector Peter Cowan, says the women acted
hypocritically with their semi-violent display.He says police support the
pleas for an end to violence and are disappointed by the women's actions
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peterellis.org.nz
The
protest marches were misguided. The organisers may describe the rape
complainants as "brave, strong and truthful" but their support
for two complainants who are very likely better described as malicious
liars provides little credibility for the march objectives.
Peterellis.org demands that justice reform consider the interest of victims
of rape, as well as victims of false allegations of rape. To prevent any
miscarriage of justice, cross examination of all witnesses should and must
remain.
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2007-0308 - Three News
- International Women’s day marked with nationwide protests
2007-0308 - Three News - Effigy
burned as protesters march in aid of sex abuse victims
2007-0308 - Stuff - Protest ends with
police dummy set alight
2007-0308 - Radio NZ - Protesters
burn effigy of police officer
2007-0308 - One News - Protesters
vent fury over police trial
2007-0308 - Newstalk ZB - Masked
women become vandals on march
2007-0309 - Radio NZ - Protests
over outcome of police sex trials
2007-0309 - One News - Rape
protesters deface high court
2007-0309 - NZ Herald -
Protesters meet the femme blue line
2007-0309 - Newswire - Protests
Over Outcome Of Police Sex Trials
2007-0309 - Dominion Post - The
face of fury
2007-0309 - Timaru Herald -
Women officers front protesters
March 8 2007; Protests
expected
Demonstrations
are due to be held in Wellington and Auckland today to demand changes to the
way sex offences are handled
Green
MP Sue Bradford says she empathises with the women who were
"brave enough" to go through the recent trials. She wants the
police to publicly apologise for an alleged historic culture of abuse and
violence
Sue
Bradford
Louise Nicholas:
Brave, or a malicious liar?
Clint
Rickards claims his acquittals prove the women were malicious liars
Protest
spokesperson Jasmine Gray says "We stand behind rape survivors and
will demand their justice"."The statistics are evidence that the
justice system reinforces sexism and injustice for rape survivors". Organiser
Lenka Rochford says the idea is to support rape survivors who she
says the justice system has failed. Another organiser, Frances Martin,
says society needs to stick up for women in what she calls sisterly
solidarity
The National Council of Women say that "recent
events have highlighted the chasm between what a woman considers as sexual
violence and what some men perceive as consensual sexual connection"
2007-0308 - Three News -
Protests expected today over Police sex trial acquittals
2007-0308 - Three News -
Bradford signals support for anti-Police protests
2007-0308 - Scoop - Supporters
and Rape Survivors Call for Changes
2007-0308 - One News - Protests
planned for rape justice
2007-0308 - One News - Bradford
wants police apology;
2007-0308 - NZ Herald - Marches for
rape victims in Auckland, Wellington tonight
2007-0308 - Newstalk ZB -
Rally in support of rape victims
2007-0308 - Newstalk ZB - Police let
marchers go on
2007-0308 - National Council Women -
IWD Highlights Violence Towards Women
March 8 2007; Lawyers
present arguments for and against reinstatement
The NZ
Herald asked two lawyers to present hypothetical arguments for and
against reinstatement
Shan
Wilson: Clint Rickards
criticisms of the investigating team who brought his prosecution was
inappropriate; Comments that referred to being, a friend of convicted rapists were also
damaging. Also, Mr Rickards had questioned the court's process in delivering
Schollum and Shipton's past guilty verdicts. Code of conduct regulations
could be cited; There was a question about Mr Rickard's integrity as he had
failed to stand down after admitting that what he had done was morally wrong.
Maria
Berryman: "What we're really looking at is that if he's going to be
dismissed, the employer is relying on the fact that this is serious
misconduct. What is the misconduct that the employer is relying on? "In terms of the law, the employer
does have a duty to consider mitigating factors and alternatives to
dismissal. "In this situation you've got someone in a senior position
for 20 years or more. "There is a duty on police to consider
alternatives to dismissal
2007-0308 - NZ Herald - Lawyers
give their arguments on whether Rickards should stay or go
March 8 2007; Clint
Rickards appeals for funding from Police Managers Guild
The
Police Managers Guild has confirmed Assistant Commissioner Rickards has asked
it for a contribution towards any legal costs he may have to pay in his
employment case.
Guild
President, Inspector Rob Abbott, says it has asked Mr Rickards for
more information before making a decision on any financial help. The Guild
did not pay anything towards Mr Rickards' $500,000 plus legal fees for
defending his two criminal trials.
Former
Auckland district commander Ross Dallow says Clint Rickards shouldn't
expect any financial help from the Police Managers Guild
2007-0308 - Three News -
Rickards appeals for funding to keep his job
2007-0308 - Newswire - Rickards
Seeks Union’s Financial Support
2007-0308 - NZ Herald - Rickards
wants colleagues to chip in
2007-0308 - Radio NZ - Clint
Rickards has asked for financial support from union
2007-0308 - Three News - Guild
warns Rickards not to expect financial assistance
March 8 2007; What
"Not Guilty" means
Keth Rankin discusses what a "Not Guilty"
verdict means, in relation to the recent police rape trials
2007-0308 - NZ Herald - A different
standard of proof
March 8 2007; Police
Standards discussed
Rosemary McLeod questions standards of police
conduct, especially with regards to group sex and adult men having group sex
with "girls" even if they are willing. She suggests that fact that
the complainants were willing to "risk humiliation of not guilty
verdicts" indicates that the complainants should be believed.
2007-0308 - Dominion Post -
Have you ever had group sex?
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peterellis.org.nz;
Significant discussion associated with the case appears to mix up the separate
issues of criminal responsibility for rape, the personal opinions of many
people about consensual sexual practices such as group sex, and the
standards of conduct that the public should expect from police.
The defendants were charged with a serious crime. The evidence suggests
strongly that Clint Rickards was justified in making the comment that the
complainants in both trials were malicious liars, and that he is actually
innocent of rape. McLeod appears to
concede ("even if they are willing") that the verdict was
correct, but then says she is "sympathetic" to the complainants
on the basis of standards of conduct she expects of the police and her
opinion of group sex.
The standards of conduct for police are employment issues for the police to
determine, taking into account public expectations. And should play no part
in a criminal trial.
If Rosemary McLeod or the Prime Minister think that group sex should be
illegal, or that the legal age of consent should be raised they should
advocate law change. If other politicians and protesters consider that rape
complainants must be believed, they should also advocate law changes that
will provide automatic guilty verdicts for anybody they care to accuse. And
to hell with justice.
Clint Rickards has already been unnecessarily put through the ordeal of two
criminal trials. He should not
continue to be a pawn in the political agendas of others.
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March 7 2007; NZ First MP
believes political comment on employment inappropriate
New
Zealand First MP Ron Mark believes it is inappropriate for MPs to be
commenting on the future employment of suspended assistant police
commissioner Clint Rickards. National leader John Key and United Future's
Peter Dunne have called on Mr Rickards to resign, despite being acquitted in
two trials of charges including the kidnapping and indecent assault of a
teenager in the 1980s
2007-0307 - Newstalk ZB - MPs urged
to keep out of Rickards debate
March 7 2007; Continuing
debate over suppressed evidence in trial
The Taranaki Daily News
says in an editorial "People with all manner of agendas are climbing on the
bandwagon rumbling along in the wake of the so-called police rape trials.
There is a rising clamour to dispense with the judicial tradition of keeping
secret all prior convictions. At least there is a selectively rising clamour
to dispense with prior convictions in sex cases -- most significantly
featuring comments by the Prime Minister, Helen Clark, and being passionately
campaigned by the organisers of a protest about the conduct and results of
these trials and rape trials generally. ……
But cautions "the overriding object of the
exercise is a fair trial that makes every possible attempt to avoid wrongful,
prejudicial conviction"
A Press release by "Downtown Community Ministries" thinks that the
Law Commission will make a recommendation to change the law, but does not
explain why.
2007-0307 - Taranaki Daily
News - A dangerous time to consider dumping a wise legal tradition
2007-0307 - "Downtown Community
Ministries" - Personal Disclosure
March 7 2007; Rickards
support of Shipton and Schollum questioned
Journalist Tapu Misa says
Clint Rickard's "outspoken support of his mates" is "blurring of
the line between right and wrong" and that this shows he was never a
good police officer. She justifies this assertion on her claim that there was
compelling evidence of their guilt for which they were convicted.
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peterellis.org.nz
This
site disagrees. Clint Rickards support for Shipton and Schollum is based on
his belief that there was a miscarriage of justice involved in the Mt Maunganui
convictions of Shipton and Schollum. He is not claiming that the crime of
rape for which they were convicted is "right". He is claiming that a miscarriage of
justice is wrong. His willingness to speak out about a possibility of a
miscarriage of justice is actually evidence of being a good police officer
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2007-0307 - NZ Herald - There are
no ifs and buts when assessing goodness
March 7-8 2007; Anti-police
"backlash"
Superintendent
Grant O'Fee, Tasman district commander, admitted officers "were
going through difficult days." Evidence of this comes with mock police
posters, and the planned women's "march against police rape"
Police
Association president Greg O'Connor urged people to separate the
actions of a small group of officers two decades ago from those of today's
officers, many of whom were women
The
Green Party has given it's support to the planned marches: Green
MP Sue Bradford says "sex between a young woman and a group of
older men in positions of authority will almost always be about violence and
power, even when it is deemed consensual by some". Green MP Nandor Tanczos
said that regardless of the jury verdict, the behaviour admitted by the
defendants was in his view unethical and abusive of their positions as police
officers. Green MP Sue Kedgley says it is crucial that women who are
rape victims are protected in court.
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This site agrees with Sue Kedgley, but
adds that it is equally as important that men who are false allegation
victims are also protected in court.
Protection against false allegations is particularly pertinent at
the end of a trial where there was strong evidence that the complainant was
not telling the truth and was therefore not a rape victim at all.
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Police
Minister Annette King says Southland police have been caught in a
wave of anti-police sentiment in the wake of sex cases
Police have confirmed that
front-line officers are being goaded over the outcome of the sex trials. Acting Bay of Plenty District Commander John
Canning says that, particularly in conflict situations, some people
have tried to push officers' buttons
The Nelson Mail, in an editorial says
that the "mocking posters" are a sign of the times. Regardless of the
acquittals in the latest trial and the Louise Nicholas case last year, the
public's perception of the police has taken a hammering. Simon Cunliffe called
the posters "shameful" by choosing "to visit the morally
repugnant activities of a group of officers in the 80s on the entire
contemporary police force"
2007-0307 - NZ Herald -
'Decent' frontline seen as taking brunt of anti-police backlash
2007-0307 - Dominion Post -
Posters mock sex case cops
2007-0307 - Manawatu
Standard - Police not amused by posters
2007-0307 - Green Party - Police
need to convince women culture has changed
2007-0308 - Southland
Times - Southland police caught in fallout from recent sex cases
2007-0308 - One News - Bradford
wants police apology;
2007-0308 - Nelson Mail -
Mocking posters a sign of the times
2007-0309 - The Press - 'Prank'
police poster shameful
March 7 2007; More Letters
to the Editor
Letters to the Press and Dominion Post, almost all
critical of those acquitted.
2007-0307 - Dominion Post - Letters
to the Editor
2007-0307 - The Press - Letters to the
Editor
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