Source: Radio New Zealand
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says he does not accept the “perception” that he pressured staff to rush staff to investigate allegations against Jevon McSkimming so he wouldn’t miss out on the top job.
RNZ revealed on Wednesday Coster had resigned as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency after the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s damning report into police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Coster has not responded to several interview requests from RNZ. In a statement on Wednesday he said his resignation was “a result of my acceptance of full responsibility for the shortcomings” identified in the IPCA’s report.
In an interview with TVNZ’s Q+A on Sunday, Coster said he did not pressure staff to get an investigation done in a week so as to not impact McSkimming’s chances of being commissioner.
He said he did not believe it was a complicated investigation to resolve.
“I was really saying let’s make sure we balance the need for him to make an application if he chooses to do that.”
He said that at time McSkimming was a victim of criminal harassment.
The IPCA report said all attendees of meetings regarding the investigation reported feeling pressure.
“I accept that I was very keen to make sure the investigation was moved forward in a timely manner. I wasn’t asking for a shortcut… I had an understanding that in the end it was a pretty simple question of where does the truth lie in this, is there sufficient evidence in the allegations.
“My intention was for this to be done properly.”
He said the “worst case scenario” was if the allegations were false “the ultimate victimisation of Jevon for criminal harassment was missing out” on applying for Commissioner.
Jevon McSkimming. RNZ / Mark Papalii
IPCA’s damning findings
The IPCA said that when McSkimming disclosed his affair to Coster in 2020, the former Police Commissioner should “at a minimum have asked more questions”.
“This is particularly the case given Deputy Commissioner McSkimming had told him that the female was aggrieved and was sending harassing and threatening emails to him and his community.”
Then in 2023, while a member of the interview panel for the statutory Deputy Commissioner appointment process, Coster “failed to disclose” to the Public Service Commission his knowledge of McSkimming’s relationship which had subsequently led to the emails.
“This failure clearly fell below what a reasonable person would have expected of a person in his position. Notwithstanding his recollection that the matter was already known to the panel, the panel members we spoke to were firm in their recollection that Commissioner Coster did not raise it, and that at that time they did not otherwise know about it. We have seen documentary evidence from the PSC that supports that view.”
In January 2024, Coster due to the number and nature of emails and concern for McSkimming’s welfare, Coster directed Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura to seek the input of the Fixated Threat Assessment Centre (FTAC), as well as consider mental health support for the woman.
An investigation into the woman, referred to as Ms Z, began February 2024 and she was charged under the Harmful Digital Communications Act in May 2024.
The charge against the woman was withdrawn in the Wellington District Court in September because McSkimming did not wish to give evidence.
The IPCA accepted that Coster entrusted Kura to commission the FTAC’s involvement, and to adequately respond to any recommendations they made.
“However, he was the Deputy Commissioner’s direct supervisor in terms of overall operations. Ultimately, he bore the responsibility for managing organisational risks.
“Given the very significant risk this matter posed to the organisation, even if the allegations were false, he should have given it higher priority and assured himself that the FTAC report was being handled appropriately. We cannot escape the conclusion that his preconception of Deputy Commissioner McSkimming as the only potential victim clouded his decision-making.”
Coster’s disclosure to the Public Service Commission on 8 October 2024, during the interim Commissioner appointment process also “fell well short of what a reasonable person would expect, given what he knew at the time.”
“At about the same time, he also inappropriately tried to influence the National Integrity Unit’s investigation into Ms Z’s complaint and to persuade the IPCA that the matter could be resolved quickly.
“While Commissioner Coster focused on the need to afford natural justice to Deputy Commissioner McSkimming, he did not sufficiently consider the injustice that would arise if there was indeed truth to Ms Z’s allegations.”
The IPCA said the influence was “most stark” in his letter to the IPCA on 22 October 2024 and in his meetings with staff on 30 October and 4 November 2024, during which he “sought to bring a serious criminal investigation to an unduly rapid conclusion so that it did not impact on a job application process”.
‘I acted in good faith’
In a statement to RNZ on Wednesday, Coster said his resignation was “a result of my acceptance of full responsibility for the shortcomings” identified in the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s report.
“I regret the impact on the young woman at the centre of this matter and sincerely apologise to her for the distress caused.
“I accept that I was too ready to trust and accept at face value Deputy Commissioner McSkimming’s disclosure and explanations to me. I should have been faster and more thorough in looking into the matter.”
Coster acknowledged he should have more fully investigated the allegations when they were brought to his attention, “rather than assuming that their previous disclosure to senior Police staff a few years earlier would have resulted in an investigation if necessary”.
“It is clear that Police’s handling of the whole matter was lacking and that I was ultimately responsible for those matters. It was sobering to read of a number of missed opportunities which should have proceeded differently and more appropriately.”
Coster welcomed Sir Brian’s acknowledgement that the report made no finding of corruption or cover-up, nor did the IPCA find any evidence of any actions involving officers consciously doing the wrong thing or setting out to undermine the integrity of the organisation.
“I made decisions honestly. I acted in good faith. I sought to take all important factors into account with the information I had at the time. While it is not possible to alter past events, I am prepared to take responsibility – I got this wrong.
“I want to apologise to all members of the NZ Police. They work hard every day to keep our communities safe. I know they have been adversely affected by these events.”
Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero, a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
