‘Objectionable material’ allegedly found on top cop Jevon McSkimming’s work computer

Tuesday, 13 May 2025

Objectionable material was allegedly found on former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming’s work computer, Stuff has learned.

McSkimming, New Zealand’s second most powerful police officer, was suspended in December pending a criminal investigation into his conduct. At the time, Stuff reported that he was under scrutiny over his conduct towards a former female non-sworn police staffer many years his junior.

On Tuesday evening, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers issued a statement from a conference in Dubai, saying he appreciated McSkimming’s resignation raised questions, but he couldn’t compromise the criminal investigation by commenting further.

“However, I can say that I have always made it very clear that trust and confidence in police is a top priority for me as commissioner,” Chambers said.

“I have also made clear that I expect leadership to be accountable. The public and my police colleagues can rest assured that very much remains the case.”

The commissioner said he took “very seriously” anything that puts trust and confidence and the reputation of police at risk and “will act to address it”.

“I have high expectations of all police staff and will address it if those standards are not met, irrespective of rank or role.

“This is not just about my own views and expectations. It is the standard the public and the police deserve.”

On Monday, Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced that McSkimming, who lost out on the Commissioner role to rival Richard Chambers in November, had resigned before he could be dismissed “after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended”.

Stuff understands officers involved in the criminal investigation allegedly found “objectionable material” on his work computer.

Asked about the revelations on Tuesday, Mitchell said: 'I'm not going to talk at all about the circumstances around Mr McSkimming's resignation or his suspension last year, or my action in moving to dismiss him. There is an ongoing police investigation.'

McSkimming’s lawyer Linda Clark has been approached for comment.

In a statement announcing McSkimming’s resignation on Monday, Mitchell said: “I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended.”

He said questions had been raised as to whether McSkimming was fit for the role of deputy commissioner.

“The Policing Act is very clear: A Deputy Commissioner of Police must be a ‘fit and proper’ person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming’s fitness for office.

Mitchell said when McSkimming was invited to respond to the allegations against him he chose to resign.

“Mr McSkimming’s resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable,” he added.

In a statement following the announcement, Chambers said the criminal investigation into McSkimming’s conduct was ongoing and was not affected by the resignation. He declined to comment further.

No one answered the door of a Te Horo property which McSkimming owns, and had lived.

Two cars sat in the driveway, and dogs barked inside the home. The curtains on the ground floor windows were pulled shut.

A sign on the door read “unless you have been invited please leave the property”.

McSkimming, 51, started his career as a police officer in Auckland in 1996.

He rose through the ranks, leading “substantial change management in large complex departments”, the police website said.

McSkimming was appointed to the statutory Deputy Commissioner role in April 2023 by the Governor-General, on the recommendation of the then Prime Minister Chris Hipkins.

On Tuesday, Hipkins said he did not know what the allegations were that McSkimming faced.

“There were certainly no red flags raised during the appointment process. And I actually don’t even know the nature of the current allegations, so I just couldn’t comment on them.”

Hipkins said McSkimming was “very professional to work with, but that does not mean that I’m in a position to make any judgement on the allegations against him”.

Labour’s police spokesperson Ginny Andersen said she was not made aware of any issues about McSkimming while she was Police Minister.

“He was always hard working and a pleasure to work with.”