Former Police Chief Claims Minister Briefed on McSkimming Allegations

Former police commissioner Andrew Coster has asserted that he informed both former police minister Chris Hipkins and current Police Minister Mark Mitchell about allegations involving Jevon McSkimming, a former deputy police commissioner, stemming from a relationship with a woman he had an affair with. Coster claims these discussions took place during his tenure, suggesting that both ministers had knowledge of the situation that they have since denied.

In response to Coster’s statements, Minister Mitchell reiterated his position, stating that Coster’s “recollections are wrong.” He emphasized that Coster never briefed him about McSkimming’s relationship with the woman referred to as Ms Z prior to November 6, 2024. Mitchell further noted that Coster’s previous disclosures to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) were often found to lack consistency and reliability.

Coster’s comments come on the heels of his resignation from the Social Investment Agency, which follows a critical report from the IPCA regarding police handling of allegations against McSkimming. The report highlighted serious shortcomings in the police’s response to allegations of sexual offending made against him. Coster’s resignation was described as a recognition of his role in these failures.

In a recent interview with TVNZ’s Q+A, Coster maintained that he briefed Hipkins in 2022 about McSkimming’s affair, which he stated “soured badly,” causing the woman involved to send numerous allegations about him to various parties. Coster recalled that this conversation occurred informally in the back of a vehicle during travel in New Zealand’s South Island. He admitted he could not provide evidence of this exchange, but remarked, “It’s simply my account.” He expressed regret about not documenting the conversation better, stating that he assumed the ministers would not distance themselves from such serious issues.

Coster emphasized that he did not pressure staff to expedite the investigation into McSkimming to protect his chances of becoming commissioner, arguing that the inquiry should have been straightforward. He described McSkimming at the time as a “victim of criminal harassment,” a stance that the IPCA report disputed, indicating that all present during meetings regarding the investigation felt pressure from Coster.

While defending his actions, Coster expressed disappointment over the fallout from the allegations and the effect it has had on his career. He stated, “It has caused me to step away from work that I believe in deeply,” acknowledging that the situation had been “hugely damaging.”

In his statement to RNZ, Coster accepted full responsibility for the shortcomings identified in the IPCA’s report. He expressed regret for the distress caused to the young woman at the center of the scandal and acknowledged that he should have investigated the allegations more thoroughly when they were first raised. Coster also articulated his belief that the police’s handling of the situation was inadequate, and he accepted that he bore ultimate responsibility.

The IPCA’s report indicated that when McSkimming disclosed his affair to Coster in 2020, the former commissioner should have pursued further inquiries, particularly given that the woman had expressed grievances and was sending threatening communications. It highlighted that Coster’s failure to disclose this information during the appointment process for a new deputy commissioner was a significant lapse in judgment.

Coster’s resignation and the subsequent revelations have sparked intense scrutiny of the police and their internal processes. As the IPCA continues its investigation, both Hipkins and Mitchell have reiterated their commitments to implementing the recommendations made in the report to prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Coster concluded his remarks by asserting that he acted honestly and in good faith throughout the process, stating, “I want to apologise to all members of the NZ Police. They work hard every day to keep our communities safe.” He expressed his commitment to moving forward positively, despite the challenges he faces.