Acquitted officer likely to get post back

Waikato's top policeman, who was acquitted of a historic rape charge, has been reinstated and looks set to get his old job back.

Superintendent Kelvin Powell, who was stood down as commander of the Waikato police district 18 months ago, was reinstated yesterday.

Mr Powell was charged after a former female colleague who worked with him at Rotorua in 1984 claimed that he had raped her at a birthday party.

The woman said she had been so drunk at the party that she passed out in her bedroom.

She claimed Mr Powell had come into her room, removed her clothes and raped her.

Mr Powell was acquitted of the charge after a trial in the High Court at Hamilton last month.

The superintendent admitted he had sex with the woman at a party, but said it was consensual.

Giving evidence, he told the court the woman had initiated sex by kissing him in the lounge of the flat, before leading him to her room.

He said the woman was drunk and he had not used contraception.

After a short deliberation, the jury acquitted him on August 10.

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson announced yesterday that Mr Powell's suspension would be lifted and that he would be reinstated to the force.

The acting district commander, Superintendent Pieri Munro, would remain in his position but Mr Robinson said it was "likely" that Mr Powell would resume his district commander role.

"There are administrative and procedural arrangement discussions taking place, but in essence Mr Powell has now been reinstated as a police officer," Mr Robinson said.

Mr Powell's acquittal led to calls from Waikato police for his reinstatement. He is a popular boss and police officers spoken to yesterday said he had respect from all areas of the community.

"He's pretty highly thought of, and while I don't think anybody would be happy to see Pieri Munro go, they're both good bosses," said one officer.

Mr Powell, a Pakeha, speaks Maori and is well-respected in Maoridom.