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IPCA Finds Serious Misconduct by New Zealand Police Leaders as Government Plans Inspector General

Andrew Coster has been placed on leave from his Social Investment Agency role pending an employment investigation.

Overview

  • A 135-page IPCA report found senior police attempted to influence the handling of complaints about former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming and initially pursued charges against the complainant that were later withdrawn.
  • The government accepted all recommendations and will establish an Inspector General of Police to strengthen independent oversight and integrity safeguards.
  • Police Commissioner Richard Chambers condemned the conduct as inexcusable, apologised to the complainant, and appointed a King's Counsel to oversee employment investigations into three current staff.
  • An officer who wrongly labelled the allegations as false remains on active duty but has been removed from evidence handling and victim-facing duties, and Chambers did not rule out further prosecutions on residual matters.
  • Police Minister Mark Mitchell said 36 emails alleging misconduct were withheld from him under a protocol set by the former commissioner’s office, and Coster has declined comment while the Public Service Commissioner reviews his conduct.