Police accusers lose faith in closed commission

The two women whose accusations sparked a commission of inquiry into police culture say they have lost confidence in the process set up to investigate their claims.

Louise Nicholas and Judith Garrett were told they could not speak at the commission hearings, given the trials pending over their allegations of rape by policemen.

The commission's mandate has been changed to look only at police culture in general. Judge Bruce Robertson has withdrawn, leaving only Dame Margaret Bazley.

The complainants told Linda Clark's Nine to Noon programme on National Radio they had held high hopes for the inquiry.

Judith Garrett had waited 17 years for her complaint to be taken seriously.

"It was going to be in its own words, open and thorough, specific and public, and now only 15 months later, it's non-specific, secret and behind closed doors. Louise and I aren't even included."

She has written to Attorney-General Michael Cullen accusing police of manipulation. She believed the commission was avoiding the issue by citing the legal process. She wants the commissioner to hear how their lives were affected.

"I was easy to slander," said Judith Garrett. "I was an immigrant and I didn't have a large family. They destroyed me."

Ms Nicholas said she could wait until after the trials if that meant they would be heard.

"It can proceed without us, but our point is that everybody has the right to be heard, and I want that right to be heard."

Because hearings would now be closed, Ms Nicholas said there should be no fear of prejudicing the trials.

"For me, personally, it's a matter of, 'if you can't hear all, don't bother hearing any', because it's not going to get anywhere."