Top officer wants job back

Waikato District Commander Superintendent Kelvin Powell's identity was revealed yesterday after he was acquitted on a rape charge. Picture / Amos Chapple

Police Commissioner Rob Robinson will meet Waikato police to "talk through matters" following the acquittal of their commanding officer on a rape charge.

District Commander Superintendent Kelvin Powell was stood down from his duties last year when the rape allegation surfaced.

Now his lawyer says he wants his job back.

Yesterday the Commissioner said there was "no rush for the next steps" in regard to Mr Powell's employment status, but there were some matters to "quietly work through". But the police union says Mr Powell is still highly respected by his staff and there should be no reason why he could not return to his old job.

A jury of six men and six women yesterday took less than three hours to find Mr Powell not guilty of the rape charge after an eight-day trial in the High Court at Hamilton.

He had been accused of raping a female officer at the woman's birthday party in Rotorua nearly 21 years ago. Mr Powell did not deny that he slept with the woman, but said she had consented and had invited him into her bedroom.

While the verdict was greeted by cheers and tears by family and friends, Mr Powell's reaction - an audible gasp and a cupped hand shielding downcast eyes - spoke of the release of 18 months of anguish.

Supporters, including his wife, son and a number of off-duty police officers, dominated the gallery, and moved to hug and congratulate the sometimes-emotional Mr Powell.

After the verdict, Mr Powell, did not want to comment. His lawyer, Warren Scotter, said his client wanted privacy and to be with his family.

Mr Scotter said the allegations and court case had taken a heavy toll on Mr Powell and had left him a "shadow of his former self".

The police officer wanted to put the matter behind him and was eager to resume his role as District Commander as soon as possible.

Mr Robinson said it had been a traumatic time for the Powell family.

"It's important that they have a bit of peace and a wee bit of time just to regroup and settle ... and then his future within police is still alive and well."

"There are a number of factors we need to quietly work through relating to employment matters."

However, Mr Robinson would not discuss what those matters were.

He said he was proud of the Waikato police team.

"They have not let the inquiry or the case materially affect their service to the public and I'll be holding meetings with local staff shortly to convey this message and to talk through matters that may be on their minds." he said.

Police Association president Greg O'Connor said there was no reason why Mr Powell could not return to his job, especially as the commander still had the respect of Hamilton staff.

"Police officers tend to look at the facts of a case and what has happened, and that will be our guiding principle."

"Our job is to make sure he's fairly treated. He is supported by police in Hamilton. I have spoken to him and he is keen to get his job back and there is no reason why he shouldn't.

"He has been through this ordeal and what else is he going to do? That is what he does. He's the District Commander of Hamilton and always has been."

Throughout the trial Mr Powell had interim name suppression, which he applied to have made permanent yesterday.

However Justice Rodney Hansen refused, saying the identity of Mr Powell was in the public interest.

Mr Powell was born in Mosgiel, near Dunedin, and moved to Rotorua with his family in the early 1970s. He wanted to be an Air Force pilot but failed the entrance exam. Instead, he joined the police, starting in Rotorua in January 1981 when he was 18 - too young to make an arrest.

The fluent Maori speaker moved through police ranks, working around the North Island until he was promoted to Waikato District Commander in November 2001.

Kelvin Powell

1981: Temporary constable in Rotorua
1987: Sergeant and police prosecutor, Hastings
1990: Senior sergeant, Taihape
1995: Shift inspector, Central Auckland
1996: Complaints manager, North Shore-Waitakere
2001: Waikato District Commander