Mr Rickards left his job as assistant commissioner in November last year, ending an internal police disciplinary action against him.
In 2006 he and two former police officers Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton were acquitted of historic charges of raping Louise Nicholas during the 1980s.
Today John Tamihere, chief executive of west Auckland urban Maori organisation the Waipareira Trust, said the trust had been in talks with Mr Rickards.
"We're having discussions with Mr Rickards in regard to his potential in working with us in dropping youth offending in the West Auckland area," he told Radio New Zealand.
"We think he's extraordinarily well qualified to support us in that regard."
Mr Tamihere said any help to lower youth offending rates would be welcome.
Mr Rickards this week breached a confidentiality agreement, revealing he had been paid $300,000 on his resignation from the police.
The payout, amounting to $180,000 after tax, covered 13 months of his salary to December when his contract would have ended.
Mr Rickards had been suspended on full pay for three years while awaiting trial and the $300,000 brought his total payout to $750,000.
Earlier this month Mr Rickards was granted a certificate of good character by the New Zealand Law Society, effectively clearing the way for him to become a lawyer.
Mr Rickards said he would like to work in Treaty, Maori land and employment law.
