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A bid by Waikato's top policeman to get his job back after being cleared of a historic rape allegation two years ago has split the selection panel, it was reported today.
Superintendent Kelvin Powell was accused of raping a then-serving policewoman at her 21st birthday party in Rotorua in 1984.
He was suspended when the allegation surfaced at the start of 2004, but reinstated in October 2005, after a jury found him not guilty.
When Mr Powell's contract as district commander expired at the end of last year he reapplied.
Tainui chairman and former New Zealand First MP Tukoroirangi Morgan was one of three people on the selection panel understood to be pushing for Mr Powell to be retained, The Waikato Times newspaper reported today.
Mr Morgan was chosen as the community based representative on the selection panel, joining Deputy Commissioners Rob Pope and Lyn Provost.
While Mr Morgan was apparently backing Mr Powell, it has been four months since applications closed.
There was now speculation among high-ranking officers that police hierarchy want Mr Powell gone.
Mr Morgan did not return calls to the newspaper this week. Mr Powell said he could not comment while a decision was pending.
Police National Headquarters would not say when a decision on Mr Powell's future would be made.
Spokeswoman Jane Archibald said interviews for the position had been conducted and "the process is proceeding and a decision will be made in due course".
Mrs Archibald refused to say the number of applicants.
Mr Powell case was not the only high profile police appointment to this month hit the news - former Auckland district commander Clint Rickards suddenly quit his job last week.
Mr Rickards served in Rotorua in the 1980s, and was cleared of rape allegations relating to his time there.
He had been suspended on full pay since 2004 while an internal police inquiry into his conduct took place.
- NZPA
