Ex-NZ cop leaves Cook Island's job

New Zealander Pat Tasker will leave his job as Cook Islands Police Commissioner today.

Inspector Tasker resigned in February, following an incident in which he allegedly abused Cook Islands ministry of finance and economic development staff during a row over his department's monthly budget.

Mr Tasker, who later apologised for the incident, told Radio New Zealand International he had decided not to seek reappointment four days before the incident occurred.

One local newspaper described the verbal clash, involving a senior female Treasury official, as "shocking".

Mr Tasker - the former Eastern Bay area commander - later admitted there had certainly been "harsh words".

He had been seen yelling from his car at a Treasury official standing on a balcony of the ministry building in the capital Avarua.

A Cook Islands source, who asked not to be named, said this week the argument had been seen by two New Zealand police officers visiting Rarotonga on holiday.

The pair had told him they would have arrested anyone they had encountered using that kind of language in New Zealand, and had been very surprised to learn that the man involved was the police commissioner, the source said.

"They said the man was swearing and calling the woman really offensive names. The woman was not saying anything, but looked really upset.

"The New Zealand cops said when they got home they would be writing to the New Zealand minister of police, to make sure the Government was aware of the incident. They were really offended by Mr Tasker's behaviour."

The following week, the Cook Islands prime minister, Jim Marurai, announced Mr Tasker would not be renewing his contract, the source said.

Based in Rarotonga, the tiny country's main island, Mr Tasker became commissioner late in 2006.

His appointment was part of a move funded by the New Zealand government, to improve the effectiveness of the Cook Islands police force.

Mr Tasker, who will be succeeded by his deputy, a Cook Islander, did not respond to an email asking about his future plans.

He was understood to be moving to Australia.

- NZPA