Source: Radio New Zealand
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster has resigned as Chief Executive of the Social Investment Agency. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche says he would’ve sacked former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster “if I had to”.
He’s also revealed Coster will receive three months pay as part of his contract.
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.
In an interview with RNZ, Sir Brian was asked if Coster’s role was untenable.
“His role would have been very, very challenging, and that was the matter that we were working through. I never had to get to the end, because he decided, for professional and personal reasons, to offer his resignation, which I have accepted. That is in his best interest, and I believe it to be in my best interest.”
He said he would have sacked Coster “if I had to”.
Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche. RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
“But I didn’t have to. It’s a theoretical thing, because he did the right thing. He exercised the accountability that I would expect of a public sector chief executive.”
Do you know more? Email sam.sherwood@rnz.co.nz
Coster was placed on leave following the IPCA’s report last month. Sir Brian said the pair had been engaged in conversations around his employment over the last three weeks.
“I had a number of questions that I needed to be satisfied on as to his ability to continue in his current role. Those questions came up from the IPCA. I had a number of them, as do many other people, I had the opportunity to put those directly to him and listen to his response, and I’ve done that without any level of predetermination, and as best as I could an open mind.”
The two men had a number of meetings in person and online.
“I was negotiating under my employment contract with him about his ability to perform the tasks that he had been recruited for as chief executive of the Social Investment Agency, all of the matters I thought relevant to that were considered in the process, and they were considered in my satisfaction to the point that he decided to offer his resignation, which I have accepted.”
Asked if there was ever a discussion about Coster returning to work, Sir Brian said “all options remained on the table”.
He said that it became apparent in his engagement with Coster last week that he was intending to resign.
“We have been engaged for three weeks in a process around employment. It was backwards and forwards between us. I had to make a decision. He had to make a decision, and all options were on the table. He took a view late last week that it was his intention to resign. I respect that, and we finalized that over the last few days.”
Sir Brian said Coster’s apology to those affected, including police and the woman who raised allegations about McSkimming was “extremely honourable”.
“I’m not sure what more he can do.”
Asked what Coster told him, Sir Brian said he acknowledged he realised after reading the IPCA report “how extensive the failures had been”.
“And although the IPCA found no evidence of corruption or collusion, if you look at it, there were failures in the systems, the processes and the delegations. And he was accountable for that. He’s accepted that accountability.”
Sir Brian said he was “really disappointed at a personal level that we’ve had to do this”.
“It’s been a very challenging process that needed to be done, but it’s had very high consequences for a person who, in his current role, was performing well, and the fact that he’s accepted accountability and responsibility speaks volumes for his values.”
He said no concerns had been raised with him about Coster’s leadership while at SIA.
Asked if he believed Coster should have got the job in the first place, Sir Brian said he believed he was “very well qualified for that role”.
“He had done a good role, but we’ve got to the point we have, and that is the way it is. I think it’s a very sad day for him and his family.”
[ h] Coster breaks silence
In a statement to RNZ, 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.”
Coster said it had been a “very challenging time” for his family and himself.
“The support we have received has been deeply appreciated. I have devoted my professional life to the service of others – it is my intention to do so again at some point in the future.”
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand