Judith Collins and Richard Chambers answer media questions after former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster was placed on leave following a damning report.
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has resigned from his role as the chief executive of the Social Investment Agency.
It follows a damning Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report into the way police handled complaints against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, published last month. Coster has been on leave sincethe report was published.
In a statement, Coster said his decision to resign was a result of his “acceptance of full responsibility for the shortcomings identified in the Independent Police Conduct Authority’s review of the handling of complaints against Jevon McSkimming during my tenure as Commissioner of Police”.
“I regret the impact on the young woman at the centre of this matter and sincerely apologise to her for the distress caused.
Former Police Commissioner and now former Social Investment Agency chief executive Andrew Coster. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“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.
“I acknowledge that I should have more fully investigated the allegations when they were brought to my 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.”
In a statement this afternoon, Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, Coster’s employer, said he respected Coster’s decision.
“It’s the right thing to do,” Roche said.
Roche said he acknowledged the IPCA report “found no evidence of corruption or cover-up when undertaking their review”.
“While the IPCA found serious leadership failures occurred, there was no evidence of senior officers consciously doing the wrong thing or setting out to undermine the integrity of the organisation.
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche speaking to media at Parliament. Photo / Mark Mitchell
“What is clear, however, is that there was significant evidence of failures within the organisation that Mr Coster was then accountable for. Systems, processes, delegations and behaviours that you would expect to be embedded were not followed.
“Mr Coster acknowledges with hindsight that he should have and could have done better, and as evidenced by his decision, has taken accountability.”
Earlier this week, Roche appeared before the select committee and confirmed Coster was being paid about $1500 a day while on leave.
“I think so,” Roche told Newstalk ZB when asked whether Coster was still being paid $1500 a day since going on leave three weeks ago.
“He got it wrong” - Willis
Social Investment Minister Nicola Willis, the minister responsible for Coster’s agency said he “got it wrong”.
“The way Police dealt with complaints about Jevon McSkimming during Andrew Coster’s tenure as Commissioner of Police fell far short of acceptable standards. As Mr Coster has acknowledged, he got it wrong.
“I welcome Mr Coster’s decision to take full responsibility for the shortcomings identified in the IPCA’s review and to resign from his role as chief executive of the Social Investment agency. This is the right decision and his willingness to take responsibility reflects well on him.
“I thank him for his work as head of the Social Investment Agency,” she said.
Last month, when the IPCA report was released, Public Service Minister Judith Collins said that had a report made similar findings about her own leadership, she would be “ashamed” of herself.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell Mitchell echoed Collins’ criticism, saying Coster “should be held to account” for what had been uncovered.
The allegations were made by a woman, with whom McSkimming had an affair, over a number of years.
McSkimming maintained the sexual relationship was consensual and the email allegations were motivated by revenge to destroy his career.
Senior police did not investigate the allegations, which continued as McSkimming sought the role of Police Commissioner, the most senior role at police. The IPCA report noted the former police executive prioritised McSkimming’s ambitions in the force above investigating the complaints.
