Police reopen sexual assault case after review finds sportsman's career prioritised over complainant
New Zealand police have reopened a 2010 sexual assault case after an internal review found that the original investigation was flawed and prioritized the perpetrator's sporting career over the complainant. The former officer in charge of the case is now under investigation for his handling of the file.
Why it matters
This case highlights issues of institutional bias and accountability within law enforcement when dealing with high-profile or 'promising' individuals.
A police sexual assault investigation into a young man with a "promising" sporting career was so flawed that the case has been re-opened, with the officer in charge of the case also under investigation, RNZ can reveal.
An internal police review has found an investigation by former Detective Senior Sergeant Darren Folau was "poor", that the complainant was "not listened to and not believed" and that the young man's sporting career was "prioritised over [the complainant] and any offending against her".
The review also said that based on its review of the original investigation the sportsman did not have a defence and was culpable of sexual conduct with a person under 16 years old.
The sportsman has been granted an injunction after he was approached by RNZ. The injunction means RNZ is not able to report his identity.
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