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Source: Radio New Zealand

An investigation into police handling of complaints against former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was critical of the actions of former Commissioner Andrew Coster, RNZ understands.

McSkimming resigned as the country’s second most powerful cop in May amid separate investigations by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police.

The 52-year-old was later arrested and is facing eight charges of possessing objectionable publications, including child sexual exploitation and bestiality material over a four-year period.

Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz

The Independent Police Conduct Authority earlier announced it was investigating allegations of misconduct by McSkimming following a complaint from a member of the public.

“This comprises oversight of a police investigation into whether there has been any criminal wrongdoing by Mr McSkimming and a review of whether there has been any related non-criminal misconduct.”

It was also conducting an investigation into if there was misconduct or neglect of duty by any other police officers or employee in the course of responding to the allegations.

Several high-ranking members of police are believed to have been interviewed as part of the investigation.

RNZ earlier revealed the final report was shown to a group of people on 24 October.

It is understood the final report was critical of Coster in terms of his action and inaction in response to allegations about McSkimming.

RNZ earlier asked Coster, who is now the chief executive of the Social Investment Agency (SIA) for comment on the criticisms in the days after the final report was shown to a group of people.

A SIA spokesperson said that as the report was not released publicly it was “inappropriate for Mr Coster to comment at this time”.

“The IPCA has stated that there is no public release at this time due to ongoing Court matters.”

RNZ also asked the Public Service Commissioner’s office for comment.

A spokesperson said the commissioner had a copy of the report, and was not making any comment.

IPCA investigations manager Stu Graham also declined to comment..

The IPCA earlier confirmed it had completed its investigation into police handling of complaints against McSkimming. Other aspects of its investigation were ongoing.

The IPCA were releasing its report “in confidence to a very limited audience”.

“There is no public release at this time due to ongoing Court matters.

“We will not make any further comment”

In September, RNZ asked the IPCA for comment on draft findings that had been circulated.

Graham said at the time the authority had not at that time made any findings.

“Whatever currently exists is in draft form for the benefit of any officer who may wish to make submissions.

“In our view it would be inappropriate for you to publish anything relating to any such draft at this stage and indeed would be unfairly prejudicial to all officers concerned.”

In November last year McSkimming was placed on “special leave” as the IPCA investigated an allegation of sexual misconduct from a former non-sworn female police employee. The following month police began a criminal investigation into that allegation.

RNZ understands it was during police’s investigation that the alleged objectionable material was found on his work devices.

A second criminal investigation was then launched which led to McSkimming resigning in May and later being arrested on eight representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the publication is objectionable.

Police earlier said McSkimming would not be charged in relation to the sexual misconduct allegations.

Assistant Commissioner Mike Johnson said the investigation concluded that the evidential test for prosecution had not been met.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand

Source: Radio New Zealand

The man in charge of the emergency response during the deadly Cyclone Gabrielle in Hawke’s Bay has apologised to victims’ families under questioning from their lawyer.

A coronial inquiry into the 13 deaths related to the cyclone in the region is underway, and is looking into the emergency response during the weather event.

An EMA (Emergency Mobile Alert), was not issued for Esk Valley until 5.19am on 14 February 2023, by which time two people had already drowned and many more residents were clutching onto their rooftops, desperately hoping to be rescued.

When Cyclone Gabrielle struck the region on 13 February, Edaan Lennan was employed by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council (HBRC) in Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management (HBCDEM) Group Emergency Management Office.

Because the main group controller for Civil Defence Ian Macdonald was away on leave during the cyclone, he put Lennan and Iain Maxwell into the top role in his absence.

In Lennan’s evidence on Monday, he explained why he decided not to issue a mobile alert to Esk Valley residents three hours earlier, when he learnt the Esk River reached its highest ever recorded level. He said it was because he feared it would put people in harms way if they tried to evacuate through floodwaters, slips and debris in the middle of the night.

On Tuesday morning the victims families lawyer Jane Glover told Lennan that following those statements, there was “disquiet” from families, who felt Lennan withheld information from people because of his lack of situational awareness of what was happening on the ground.

“They feel there is almost an assumption that people are somewhat stupid and can’t make intelligent decisions for themselves based on information… a sense of a ‘we know better’ attitude – can you understand that perspective?” asked Glover.

“I can and I apologise if that is the way it came across, that is certainly not my intention,” said Lennan.

He went on to say there was a risk of sending many people into harms way by using an EMA.

“Yes it would have woken people up, absolutely, and it might have given them a head start in a terrible situation that they found themselves in.. but it could have also had unintended consequences.”

However, Lennan said if he was in that situation, he would want to be making informed decisions for his family.

“I very much apologise for not being able to give people that information,” he said.

In earlier questioning from Glover, Lennan said all the criteria for issuing an EMA had been met, however he had misunderstood the protocol.

Glover showed the court a number of ‘E Texts’ sent by Tairawhiti’s civil defence to people in areas that could be at risk of flooding during Cyclone Gabrielle.

The first of those messages was days before the cyclone hit, on 11 February, warning people in flood prone areas about the orange heavy rain warning from MetService

Over the next 48 hours, several more similar messages were sent to more than 1500 people who could be at risk, and at 10.18pm on 13 February the Gisborne District Council Flood Warning Officers sent out this emergency text alert:

“River levels and surface water us causing us serious concerns all over Gisborne City and the region. For those residents who are in low lying areas or near rivers, please monitor the situation and evacuate to your nearest evacuation centre if necessary.”

By 11.53pm another emergency text was issued:

“The Waipaoa River at Kanakanaia Te Karaka has reached 8.2m meaning those in the Ormond township should evacuate to higher ground or head to GDC welfare centres at Te Pohu o Rawiri Marae Ranfurly Street’.

Glover asked Lennan if he was surprised to see the use of ETexts in Tairawhiti to communicate important ‘granular information’ to residents at risk.

“It’s the first time I’ve seen this… but some councils around the country do have ETexting ability and systems,” he said.

But Lennan said the tool isn’t available in Hawke’s Bay. Glover replied that Hawke’s Bay residents who were forced to flee for their lives felt ‘shortchanged’ in terms of the lack of information from officials.

“I can understand that,” said Lennan.

He explained that emergency management was led by CDEM groups and governed and managed by local councils, which meant some regions have different systems and levels of service for residents, such as the capability to send ETexts.

“In my opinion.. this would have been helpful to have a texting or some sort of system that didn’t have the downsides of the EMA system, but abilty to send out targetted information.

“This is a good idea and doesn’t necessarily need to be going through a local council or an Emergency Coordination Centre,” said Lennan.

Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence is currently undergoing a [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/539677/hawke-s-bay-civil-defence-ready-for-revamp-in-wake-of-cyclone-gabrielle three-year overhaul, following an independent review after Cyclone Gabrielle which made 70 recommendations for improvements.

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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand