PRESS RELEASE 11 June 2007

Protest Against Clint Rickards’ Continued Employment

Wellington Action Against Rape will be protesting Clint Rickards’ continued employment outside National Police Headquarters from 12:30-1:30pm on Tuesday 12 June 2007

Wellington – 11 June 2007 – Wellington Action Against Rape is maintaining pressure on the Police to terminate Clint Rickards’ employment and to provide a clear statement that abusive and exploitative behaviour will not be tolerated by Police management.

“It is time for the Police to acknowledge what the rest of New Zealand already knows,” said spokesperson Anna Potts; “Rickards’ actions are totally unacceptable and he has repeatedly shown extremely poor judgment; he is simply not fit to be a New Zealand police officer.”

Rickards has been suspended on full pay for well over three years and has been paid over half a million dollars during this time. “At a time when community organisations supporting the victims of rape and domestic violence are struggling financially, Rickards’ continued payments are an insult to New Zealand women and their families,” said Anna.

Since the original allegations against Rickards were published, he has made a number of public statements as well as testifying in court. “These statements show that he sexually exploited vulnerable women, supports convicted rapists, and feels no remorse for his past behaviour,” Anna said. “We deserve better police than Rickards; we deserve people we can trust, who care for and support our most vulnerable friends and family.

“The challenge is now for Police senior management to act; to withdraw their tacit support of Rickards’ behaviour and fire him.”

Protest Location Police National Headquarters 180 Molesworth St Wellington 12:30-1:30pm, Tuesday 12 June

ENDS

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