Former police commissioner resigns as head of SIA – “I got this wrong”

Report from RNZ by Sam Sherwood
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has resigned as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency.

It comes after the police watchdog’s damning report into police’s response to allegations of sexual offending by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Coster was placed on leave following the release of the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report last month.

Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche today issued a statement confirming Coster would be leaving the Social Investment Agency (SIA) effective immediately.

“I respect Mr Coster’s decision. It was the right thing to do,” Sir Brian said.

“I also acknowledge that the IPCA 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.

“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.”

Sir Brian said Coster had made a significant contribution to the operations of SIA during his time there. “He has performed very well with a strong motivation to both change and strengthen the way social investment and improved outcomes for those in need are achieved.”

In a statement today, Andrew 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.”

Minister for the Public Service Judith Collins said Coster had “clearly reflected on the IPCA’s findings and chose to resign”.

“In the circumstance it was the right thing to do. High standards are rightly expected of all public sector leaders.”

Minister for Social Investment Nicola Willis said the way Police dealt with complaints about McSkimming during 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.”

The IPCA’s report found serious misconduct at the highest levels of police, including Coster, over how police responded to accusations of sexual offending by McSkimming.