Inquiry seeking safe way ahead

The commission of inquiry into police conduct has scheduled a special hearing to try to find a way of proceeding without contaminating criminal proceedings.

The commission, set up in response to allegations by Louise Nicholas and Judith Garrett, met last week to decide whether it could continue.

Charges have been laid against a high-ranking police officer and two former police colleagues after Mrs Nicholas' allegations.

The men are subject to extensive suppression orders.

Commissioner Bruce Robertson urged lawyers for all interested parties to come up with ideas "in hard, cold, practical terms" on how the commission could continue its brief while criminal processes were under way.

Mrs Nicholas, of Rotorua, made a series of allegations early last year concerning events that dated from the mid-1980s when she was 18.

She had previously complained to the Rotorua police station in 1993 but later said she was advised by a senior police officer not to make a written complaint.

Mrs Garrett, of Kaitaia, has alleged she was raped by a policeman in the Kaitaia police station in 1988.

As well as looking into the cases of Mrs Nicholas and Mrs Garrett, the inquiry has been asked to report on the wider issue of police culture and processes.

"It appears ... that it would be impossible and certainly irresponsible to endeavour to make any determinations with regard to those wider issues unless and till there has been an investigation of all matters ... ," Justice Robertson said.

He questioned whether it would be more beneficial to do staggered or "piecemeal" work, or simply adjust the timing of its work to synchronise with criminal processes.

Private or suppressed hearings could be an option until criminal charges ran their course.

He said he was conscious that many people had bravely come forward with grievances.

"We have never lost sight of their particular plight and need," Justice Robertson said.

The next meeting will be on April 22.

- NZPA