Former Southern District commanders Paul Basham and Andrew Coster have been identified in the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report into accusations of sexual offending by former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming, who was educated in Dunedin and previously served as an officer in Gore.
On Tuesday, the IPCA released a damning 135-page report into serious misconduct discovered at the highest levels of police in the country.
Dunedin-born Mr Coster, who served as Southern District commander from 2013-15 before later being promoted to commissioner, was identified by name in the report.
Since then Mr Basham, who served as Southern District commander from 2017-24 before being promoted to assistant commissioner, was identified as one of the unnamed senior police figures singled out for criticism in the report.
Southern District commander Superintendent Jason Guthrie said the behaviour outlined in the IPCA report was not reflective of police organisation as a whole or of the "dedicated police staff" who worked tirelessly to keep the district safe.
"I am incredibly proud of the stunning work our people do 24/7, and the people ... can rest-assured that police will continue to serve this vast district with a high level of integrity and care.
"Most importantly, they need to know they can come to us for help, and their concerns or complaints will be taken seriously."
The IPCA report centred on senior officers dismissing repeated complaints from a woman about McSkimming’s behaviour over several years, as far back as 2018, but particularly in 2023 and early 2024.
An investigation into her claims was finally launched in mid-2024.
In the report, Mr Coster was criticised over his handling of the issue, with the watchdog concluding he had a preconception of McSkimming as a victim.
RNZ reported yesterday it understood that "Assistant Commissioner A" in the report referred to Mr Basham, who retired in September.
Before his retirement, and after he left his post as the Southern District commander, Mr Basham was the assistant commissioner of investigations.
The IPCA’s report said Mr Basham was directly responsible for "Operation Herb", the name given to the initial internal police inquiry into the sexual assault allegations.
It said the terms of reference for Operation Herb, which Mr Basham was "directly responsible for", were "in no way consistent with police adult sexual assault policy and procedures".
Mr Basham, born and raised in South Auckland, came to Dunedin to fill the district commander role in 2017.
At the time of his appointment, he told the Otago Daily Times policing was "about the difference officers make to people’s lives". — Allied Media/RNZ
