Police have welcomed the Independent Police Conduct Authority's report into Operation Austin.
In a review released today, the authority praised Operation Austin, saying it was an exceptional, major criminal investigation and that it reached a high standard of excellence.
The Authority rejected complaints by Mr Rickards about the operation and praised the investigation's "ground-breaking" processes for dealing with victims of sexual offences.
Deputy Commissioner Rob Pope said he was delighted, not only that the complaints had been rejected, but that the Austin team had received such well deserved praise.
"The Austin team is made up of a group of people who have had this investigation as the focus of their professional lives for four years."
"It comes as no surprise that their integrity, skills and unflagging commitment throughout that time, particularly to the complainants involved, has resulted in such high commendation," Mr Pope said.
ENDS