Heads of inquiry into police rape allegations named

6.20pm

Dame Margaret Bazley and judge Bruce Robertson will head the Commission of Inquiry regarding the recent rape and sexual misconduct allegations against police officers and previous investigations of them.

Dame Margaret has had a long and distinguished career in the public service, including as chief executive of the Ministry of Social Development and Secretary for Transport, while Justice Robertson is a High Court judge and chair of the New Zealand Law Commission.

The terms of reference for the inquiry are still subject to a final legal drafting but it will be asked to report to the Governor-General by November 1.

The commission will not be able to review the investigations of complaints by the Police Complaints Authority (PCA) because of secrecy provisions in the PCA's governing statute.

It will be able to review the investigations carried out be police which formed the basis for the PCA's report.

- HERALD STAFF