The inquiry team set up to investigate alleged police misconduct is looking into a new sex allegation against suspended Assistant Police Commissioner Clint Rickards.
Operation Austin head Steve Vaughan confirmed last night it was investigating another allegation of a historical sexual nature against Rickards and while nothing had been substantiated, the matter was being treated seriously.
Rickards’ lawyer, John Haigh QC, said last night “I would not believe a word of what Operation Austin individuals leaked to the media”.
The allegation dates back to the early 1990s when Rickards was working in Rotorua.
Vaughan would not say where its information had come from, but confirmed he had spoken to two former police officers and one current serving officer about the allegation.
He was now trying to contact another former officer in Australia who could be key to establishing whether there was any substance to what had been alleged.
