Mr Rickards, the then assistant commissioner, left the force in November last year effectively halting internal police disciplinary action against him.
He and two former police officers Bob Schollum and Brad Shipton were acquitted in 2006 of historic charges of raping Louise Nicholas 20 years ago during the 1980s.
Mr Rickards yesterday breached his own confidentiality arrangement by revealing to a radio station that he had been paid $300,000.
The sum, which after tax came to $180,000, represented 13 months of his salary until next month when his contract would have ended.
Mr Rickards, who is now seeking admission as a lawyer, had been suspended on full pay for three years while awaiting trial and the $300,000 brought his total payout to $750,000.
Ms Nicholas said yesterday the extra $300,000 was "just unbelievable".
"And I'm extremely disappointed he was able to walk away from those disciplinary charges," she told The New Zealand Herald.
Ms Nicholas said yesterday the "golden handshake" could have helped countless people and crisis centres. She said he brought disrepute on the police and the disciplinary process should have run its course.
Mr Rickards was granted a certificate of good character by the New Zealand Law Society this month, effectively clearing the way for him to become a lawyer.
He said he thought the payment was not excessive after 28 years in the police and the high rank he reached.
"I probably could have stayed on and probably fought the fight but the priority for me was my family," he told Radio Waatea.
He said he resigned so he could finish his law degree.
He was interested in practising in Treaty, Maori land and employment law.
