Rickards: Not lawyer material
Disgraced former assistant police commissioner Clint Rickards should not be allowed to practise as a lawyer.
As reported in this paper yesterday, Mr Rickards has applied to the High Court at Auckland for admission to the bar as a barrister and solicitor after studying
a law degree at Auckland University.
Mr Rickards and former police officers Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum were accused of raping Louise Nicholas, but were acquitted in March last year. It was later revealed that Shipton and Schollum had been convicted of the rape of another woman.
Mr Rickards, who was once thought of as a future commissioner, resigned last November, just before a police tribunal was to hear 11 internal disciplinary charges against him.
Louise Nicholas says she plans to ask the Auckland District Law Society not to give Mr Rickards a "good character" certificate in order to become a practising lawyer.
The public will be able to make submissions on his case until September 12.
Auckland District Law Society president Keith Berman says Mr Rickards is a high profile person and what he has done in the world would be relevant.
Quite right too. Mr Rickards' history - even though he was found not guilty of rape - must have a huge bearing on this unusual matter.
The public must have confidence that lawyers defending accused criminals and cross-examining complainants have high moral standards and are of good character.
