(Following issues are for Richard Chambers to address)
Your culture, financial & operational management, and leadership skills are seriously deficient/leave a lot to be desired.
As Commissioner, you have to be held accountable for this shocking experience since January 2021. The buck stops with you, especially considering you had 173 opportunities to ‘nip it in bud’/prevent this widespread PNHQ personal corruption and (serious) misconduct & neglect of duty occurring! You are quoted in the media “I want Police to be known as service, not force”, yet you have ignored me 173 times begging for your service! As you don’t ’walk your own talk’, you model to Police personnel ignoring & not providing the Public with very simple service is fine – “If it’s good enough for coster to behave this way, it’s good enough for us”!
‘Sickening’ to read empathy, integrity, professionalism & respect expectations at each personnel level. Of the 100 or so PNHQ personnel I contacted over the last 5.5 years, only 2 – both were civilian support/neither were constabulary – conducted themselves as per these expectations/provided any service!
PNHQ constabulary are not even at the ‘starting line’ of your “service” vision! It’s shocking for 5.5 years I was unable to find a single (PNHQ) constabulary who said anything like “As it looks like you’ve been having an issue for some time, let me better understand the problem & see if I can at least help you – if not resolve it”. BASIC service/solution focus! Of the 100 or so PNHQ personnel I contacted, at least 25 of them I couldn’t trust to employ in my business! I would be constantly worrying what reputational damage they are doing to my business, with their stubborn arrogance/unwillingness to do really simple tasks for clients.
Government complain about number of Public Service personnel growing by 27.8% from 2017 while population grew by only 8.5% in same period… while overlooking probably the ‘fattest’ public service operation of all – PNHQ! Growth in number of PNHQ constabulary has been staggering in recent years – 37.7/75.4% under your watch/since 2018.
Ex Police Minister Ginny Andersen’s “Rough formula is, for every 4 police officers, you need 1 back office person” makes logical sense. However, from 2019 to mid-2023 you employed 2 additional PNHQ constabulary for every 1 additional frontline personnel – 8 times above ratio!!
Police’s 2025 Annual Report revealed, while constabulary Districts growth from 2020 to 2025 was only 3.4%, constabulary PNHQ growth over the same period was a Staggering 35.9%!
Only reason to grow constabulary numbers so significantly is to make much needed service improvements – such ‘service’ I searched HARD for but did not find in 5.5 years!
More seemingly ‘swept under the carpet’ without any initiatives to address/improve the numerous deficiencies research confirms my woeful experience will be a relatively common occurrence for other Public members. On every measure, by up to 30% in relative terms, PNHQ constabulary are the poorest service providers within Police!
– 51% (73% for All of Police) Satisfied with the overall quality of service
– 61% (78%) I was treated fairly
– 60% (80%) Staff were competent
– 58% (77%) Staff did what they said they would do
– 50% (70%) Staff took their individual circumstances into account
– 51% (63%) Staff represented good value for tax dollars
– 65% (82%) Staff met or exceeded expectations
– 53% (69%) Satisfied with speed of response
Defies business logic to ‘pour masses’ of constabulary into Police’s poorest performing operation without effective & efficient work management processes (existing on paper only?). That approach, as per my experience & the survey results, creates a bigger ‘mess’.
“Michael, fairly well said 🙂 Frontline are Better part of police! VERY Useless part of police is pnhq constabulary – ‘average’ people getting paid above average salaries for below average performance decade/year after decade/year!!”
Yet more seemingly ‘swept under the carpet’ without any initiatives to address/improve the deficiencies professional conduct statistics further confirms my woeful experience will be a relatively common occurrence for other Public members. PNHQ constabulary are the most unprofessional operation within Police!
In 2023/2024, PNHQ constabulary ranked:
– Close second/second on number of incidents
– No. 1 on involved staff (13.1/5.8% more than no. 2)
– No. 1 on at least 1 allegation upheld (40.5/44.3% more than no. 2!)
Because some PNHQ professional conduct complaints are ignored, like this one, the real statistics are even worse! 67-86.5% of the allegations/conduct were for breach of official conduct, service failure & unprofessional behaviour (violating Police’s supposed values of empathy, integrity, professionalism & respect) i.e. failure to provide what should be a given/standard service, like in this case!
You had the gall to convince Government Cabinet any reduction in PNHQ constabulary would hamper frontline’s effectiveness – absolute rubbish! If you try to claim were unaware PNHQ was so dysfunctional, you have not read the above research &/or are extremely out-of-touch with reality of the constabulary performance in your building! It is sad & wrong some good people lost their Public Service jobs, while your massively overstaffed & woeful performing PNHQ was given a ‘free pass’ to carry on!
Based on my 5.5 years intensive experience, I believe 385 PNHQ ‘deadwood’ constabulary could be made redundant or reassigned to the frontline without any reduction in PNHQ’s (currently woeful) ‘service’!
Yet more seemingly (very) poor Police ‘crackdown’ on internal corruption is the (very) low charging rate of the National Integrity Unit (NIU). As per https://www.stuff.co.nz/nz-news/350414126/more-100-investigations-carried-out-polices-anti-corruption-unit , the 103 completed NIU investigations resulted in only 10 personnel being charged! I am confident a lot more than 9.7% of Police investigations into Public dishonesty, drug dealing & possession, illegal firearms possession, indecent communications etc. result in charges – more like 80%(?). (On grounds it was “frivolous”!, as per PNHQ’s accountability hatred culture, Ministerial Services refused to respond to my OIA request of a one-liner describing the nature of each investigated alleged uncharged crime. Again, so much for Police’s supposed values of integrity, professionalism & respect!)
Police Association’s Constabulary Pay Round 2026 Survey findings paint a stark picture.
– Asked whether they had considered leaving Police in the past 12 months, 56.7% of respondents said yes. Extrapolated across all constabulary staff, that’s 5810 officers who thought about walking out the door.
– Of those who answered whether they had considered leaving, 48% were feeling negative.
– When asked what they most enjoyed about the job, only 7% cited professional & personal fulfilment.
– “When more than half of respondents have considered leaving in just one year, that tells us morale is fragile & under real strain” – Steve Watt, president
– “If people are turning up to work with thought of leaving; they’re not able to bring their full energy, enthusiasm or focus to the role” – Erin Polaczuk, national secretary
On 7 April 2026, Police released an updated Code of Conduct. So much of it I did not encounter during my 5.5 years experience!
In Richard Chambers’ message:
– Our Code is … our commitment to doing what’s right, every time … it sets the standard for how we work … with the Public. These standards aren’t optional – they are the foundation of professional policing to meet the expectations the Public rightfully hold us to.
– We have learned from past conduct issues & independent investigations … These lessons strengthen our commitment to integrity & accountability …
– When we need to review how someone’s conduct measures up, that process will be timely …
– I’m proud to lead an organisation where people hold themselves – & each other – to high standards
In “Making good decisions”:
– By being consistently honest & ethical, … we help bring our vision & values to life
– We act professionally, … & ethically, exercise good judgement & are accountable for our behaviour. We must not do anything that may undermine or damage trust or confidence in Police … We protect Police’s integrity & reputation by speaking up about any inappropriate behaviour.
– Ask yourself “Would I be proud of this decision if it were made known to the Public?”
In “Standing together”:
– Reporting misconduct is the right thing to do
– There is no place for behaviour that compromises trust … or the integrity of Police
– We expect you to: Raise concerns … when you observe behaviour & conduct that does not meet the expected standard, or you believe your own decision-making ability to meet expected standards is compromised. Report suspected misconduct ….
– Leaders have an elevated responsibility for integrity in Police. They must act promptly & decisively when concerns arise, ensure issues are escalated early … Leaders are expected to: Model the highest standards of behaviour, consistent with Our Values & this Code. Act immediately when they observe or are made aware of concerning conduct. Escalate matters where the seriousness or issues … require higher-level or independent oversight … Ensure transparent, timely decision-making that maintains … public trust.
In “Integrity & professionalism”:
– Integrity & professionalism are the foundation of policing. Acting ethically means doing what’s right … It means being honest, fair & transparent in everything we do.
– We expect you to: Make decisions that withstand scrutiny – ask yourself if you would be comfortable if your choice was made public. Act with honesty & fairness … Only use your position to fulfil your professional responsibilities – never … to advantage others… Model professionalism in every interaction.
In “Accountable”:
– We own our actions & act with transparency, …
– Accountability is fundamental to who we are & the trust communities place in Police. We must act responsibly so our behaviour doesn’t compromise the credibility & integrity of Police.
– We expect you to: Be transparent about your behaviour … Tell your manager if you … are involved in any matters you may be concerned about … Protect our integrity – raise issues immediately if you’ve put yourself at risk, … , or notice a situation that could compromise you or Police. Own your actions … Act with integrity – follow the Code.
What I did encounter during my 5.5 years experience!
In “(Serious) Misconduct”:
– Misconduct is behaviour or actions that breach this Code or other Police policies
– Breaching Police policies or procedures … Misuse of Police … IT systems. Not complying with … reasonable instruction without good & sufficient reason. Engaging in behaviour that damages public trust or confidence in Police. Failure to report suspected misconduct …
– Serious misconduct is behaviour or actions that breach this Code or other Police policies … and seriously undermines or damages the trust & confidence Police has in you, calling into question if the employment relationship can continue
– Corruption … Dishonesty of any kind … Repeated misconduct … Knowingly making a false declaration or statement.
The following customer service personality traits, which I commonly experienced over the last 5.5 years, are industrialized within PNHQ (Police): apathy, arrogance, callous, controlling, cowardly, cruel, deceitful, defensive, dishonest, disrespectful, evasive, haughty, idle, inconsiderate, inept, inflexible, insensitive, insincere, intolerant, irresponsible, lazy, neglectful, passive, procrastinating, self-important, spiteful, super stubborn & unreliable. The epitome of a toxic tribal culture which super stubbornly values loyalty over integrity. Not an attractive ‘person’, let alone a customer service one!
On 16 August 2021, after Clinton had ignored several of my emails asking whether he had contacted Europol about my case by 6 August – as he said he would, I first contacted your Office pleading for your invention. Since that date, your Office has received 173 emails from me begging for your assistance. Not a single response from your Office!
Do not claim “I can’t be held accountable for my Office staff’s neglect”. You employed Office staff who have zero empathy, integrity, personal leadership, professionalism & respect! Surely, part of their role is to delegate a fair chunk of incoming correspondence to appropriate personnel for their action/response – for 5 years, your Office staff have not done this in my case! This correspondence delegation is a senior management 101 practice, yet you have not ensured your Office staff are (adequately) doing it!
To ‘rub salt into gaping wound’: – since 8 September 2023, I have sent your Office 44 emails with the subject line “IMPORTANT – Corruption and GROSS misconduct & neglect of duty”. Zero response from your Office! – since 11 October, I have sent your Office 32 emails with the subject line “Case calling for Resignation of Andrew Coster”. Zero response from your Office!
Over & over again, I offered numerous personnel very simple ‘exit ramps’ to avoid this complaint occurring or their names being mentioned in it. Over & over again, those very simple solutions were ignored! So, I’m left with the impression every named personnel believes “Flanagan can kick & scream as much as he likes. Coster/Chambers will either ignore him or look after us, so we don’t have any consequences”!
Even though I showed several PNHQ personnel in this complaint proof of initial media interest in my name & shame experience story, still no action! Especially the Communications & Senior people, astonishing they have zero interest in protecting the Public image of Police! As they had no interest in ‘doing the right thing (which is very simple in this case)’ by you, ultimately, they don’t sufficiently respect you – hence their inaction, some of them would welcome your demise. Especially those in ISG and I&C, thank goodness they aren’t on the frontline – their total absence of conscience is ‘scary’. As this PNHQ misbehaviour is widespread – not just 1 or 2 ‘bad eggs’, as Commissioner, you have to be held accountable.
You command over a PNHQ operation, with a very dysfunctional culture from the very bottom all the way up to you, who believes “Accountability applies to the Districts only, not to us”!
– All my attempts to escalate performance issues were ignored! (“Only weaklings suffer no criticism”)
– The custodians – Integrity & Conduct – of the Police investigations of Public complaints policy even blocked my ability & ignored my attempts to activate it!
– I discovered, through my own efforts, there are at least 3 other PNHQ units with a total of 50+ personnel which “…assist with & progress employment investigations (of complaints)”. Of the 100 or so PNHQ personnel I contacted, not a single one even mentioned – let alone referred me to – any of them for resolution of this significant performance issue!
– You have long been in violation of Police investigations of complaints. Specifically, “Independent Police Conduct Authority Act 1988 (Act) contains provisions relating to the notification, investigation, oversight and review of complaints & incidents which fall within the jurisdiction of the Authority. The Act requires the Commissioner of Police to notify the Authority as soon as practicable but in any case within 5 working days, of every complaint or notifiable incident.” You should have notified IPCA of the initial version of this letter within 5 working days after 11 October 2023.
ABSOLUTELY BRILLIANT. You literally have 1 job – to fight crime – yet the Government have to ‘hand hold’ you over & over again to do so! Within Police, you are known as “lantern” – very bright, but needs to be carried…. You should be constantly asking yourself “What can I do to make Police more effective?” – yet you don’t! I doubt there has been a Police Commissioner with less crime fighting heart/passion than you! You ‘close your eyes & put your fingers in your ears’ to the Country’s crime reality! You command over a PNHQ operation with a very dysfunctional culture that keeps you totally ‘sheltered’ from their personal corruption and serious incompetence, misconduct & neglect of duty! A true leader creates a culture which welcomes constructive criticism – as they are opportunities to improve performance – & is so well ‘connected’ within their organization they become or are made aware of misbehaviour.
The ‘bottom line’ is, for your $690k annual salary, the Public/Taxpayers deserve MUCH better! For $690k pa, they deserve a Sir Mark Rowley of London Met Police – “…the ‘cancer’ at the Met Police needed to be removed. You can have a majority of the organisation who are good people, but systemically you can fail & have failed to root out people who shouldn’t be there, to set the standards & the culture”.
Sir Rowley, despite commanding a force 200% & serving a population 65% bigger than yours, earns 55% less than you! While you may have had a distinguished Police career, the step up to Commissioner was one too many. Be thankful you had opportunity to exceed your abilities – unfortunately your culture, financial & operational management skills and leadership didn’t adequately grow with the promotion. You had a ‘good’ 4+ years ‘run’ in the position.
PLEASE find the integrity to ‘do the right thing’ – IMMEDIATELY resign 🙂 As I implied at the start of this letter, in hindsight, I should have started exposing you & PNHQ constabulary 18+ months ago. Over that time, your media appearances show you have zero enthusiasm/passion for your job. Immediately resign so
– addressing/restructuring your massively overstaffed & woeful performing PNHQ operation can begin
– the very dysfunctional PNHQ culture can start to be eliminated & transformed
– the effectiveness of ‘huge spend’ PNHQ initiatives can be reassessed. (You knew the Firearms Registry initiative was going to produce an ineffective solution, yet didn’t have the integrity to inform the Government it was a waste of money!)
Should ‘lame duck’ you see out the 8 months of your contract, these issues & the easy $50M/probable $100M/possible $150M pa savings within your PNHQ operation won’t even begin to be assessed! By IMMEDIATELY resigning, you serve the Public 🙂
I look forward to your timely commitment to follow through on my recommended disciplinary actions. If you legally require my evidence to demote & dismiss personnel, I’m willing to provide. I’m not willing to spend days compiling all the evidence, only for PNHQ to “file it for informational purposes only”. As mentioned, I have already spent MANY weeks writing ‘how to move forward’ proposals – only for 70% of them to be IGNORED & 0% actual progress made by PNHQ!!
N A Flanagan
Andrew Flanagan
Appreciate you sharing & signing my “Independent Commission of Inquiry into Tribal NZ Police Culture is Warranted” petition. Thanks in anticipation
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While not directly relevant to my Police performance complaint, the following video gives interesting insights – not in good ways – into Coster’s integrity & judgment.
Considering:
– integrity is one of Police’s main values,
– by having an affair/cheating on his Wife, McSkimming had demonstrated poor integrity, &
– he was applying for the Commissioner’s role (the top job within Police)
it is astonishing to me Coster did not consider the following discussion appropriate to have with McSkimming.
“Given the nature of the allegations – which are still being investigated – against you, it is inappropriate to apply for the Commissioner’s role. If you are even charged with – let alone found guilty of – sexual assault, if appointed – of course – you bring the Government, Police & Yourself into dispute. Even if you are not found guilty of sexual assault, there is a definite risk the Media will still report your ‘loud victim’s’ experience story.
So, given the allegations are of a serious nature – not just “McSkimming was overly aggressive when he issued me with a speeding ticket many years ago” – again, in the court of Public opinion you potentially bring the Government, Police & Yourself into dispute. Sorry, the ‘loud’ aspect of the person making these serious allegations against you means there is too much risk for everybody if you are appointed Commissioner.
Actually, even if your affair ended nicely, there is still a risk you can bring the Government, Police & Yourself into dispute. The woman you had an affair with, upon seeing you had been appointed Commissioner, might respond “Hang on, my moral code objects to this guy having the top Police job in the Country – I’m going to the Media to share my ‘Wife Cheater Appointed Police Commissioner’ experience story’”.
As you are applying for the top Police role, your integrity (one of Police’s main values) – both at work & personally – must be top notch. Lacking integrity in your personal life, even if your work integrity is perfect, is not appropriate. Being – say – a chronic liar, spousal cheat & prescription medicine abuser in your personal life – even if your work integrity is perfect – is not appropriate. Integrity is an all-encompassing ‘package’ – it cannot be put into ‘departments’ as I have described”.
(‘Moral of the story’ for those people with Police Commissioner aspirations – under no circumstances, cheat on your partner/spouse or have an affair. If you do, be prepared to ‘kiss’ your ultimate career aspirations ‘goodbye’)
Also, what kind of churches do Coster & McSkimming attend that are seemingly okay with spousal cheating? Even though Coster claims to be a person of strong faith, he was very okay with completely overlooking spousal cheating so ‘his guy’ McSkimming was positioned as strongly as possible to secure the Commissioner role!
Even after having had time to reflect, I got the sense from the interview Coster still believes he did not do much wrong with the sexual allegations part of the McSkimming saga! Seemed to me Coster was largely trying to ‘excuse away’ his in hindsight lack of judgement as, when Commissioner, he was unaware of the bestiality & child porn images which were subsequently found on McSkimming’s work computer.
Andrew Coster, in my opinion, your integrity & judgement is dodgy! Proven by your quite inappropriate management of the McSkimming saga; you were the epitome of PNHQ’s super stubborn, toxic, tribal culture which values loyalty over integrity! You were definitely annoyed the McSkimming investigation ‘raised it’s ugly head’ just before ‘your guy’ was applying for the Commissioner’s role!
Click here for “Government Total Apathy with PNHQ Performance” section
