No charges on sex allegations for former deputy police commissioner
Thursday, 4 September 2025
Former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming will not face charges in relation to alleged sexual misconduct with a female junior staff member.
Assistant police commissioner Mike Johnson said the investigation has found the evidential test for prosecution has not been met and charges will not be laid.
“The investigation and decision not to charge were independently reviewed by a King’s Counsel and peer reviewed by a Crown Law appointed barrister,” Johnson said in a statement.
“The investigation was thorough and led by a Detective Superintendent. It had independent engagement throughout from the IPCA and a Crown Law appointed barrister.”
The claims were first brought to light by Stuff late last year, when it was revealed McSkimming had already been on leave for several weeks.
It is believed he was under scrutiny over his conduct towards a former female non-sworn police employee many years his junior.
McSkimming’s suspension later led to the discovery of alleged objectionable material on his work devices, for which he has been charged.
The 52 year-old faces eight charges of possessing objectionable material that relate to bestiality and child exploitation.
McSkimming is yet to enter a plea on the charges and is due back in court in November.
Before he was charged, McSkimming had sought a “super injunction” in the High Court, to prevent the media from reporting the nature of the material allegedly found on his computer.
The court order had also initially prevented any publication of the proceedings.
The existence of the injunction was later able to be reported and finally last month the child exploitation and bestiality nature of the material was revealed.
McSkimming later abandoned his bid for name suppression.
The charges brought an end to his police career that peaked when he was short-listed for the top job - police commissioner - in October last year.
McSkimming grew up in Dunedin and graduated from police college in 1996. He had an initial stint in Auckland before in 2000, having recently married, he was transferred to Gore.
His time in the south resulted in being awarded the police bronze medal after being threatened by a man who had barricaded himself in a house armed with knives.
McSkimming and two other officers subdued him and put the fire out that the man had started.
In 2005, he was stationed to Murchison before a shift to the police college where he ran courses for sergeants and senior sergeants.
He continued to climb the ladder with a promotion to superintendent and a move to police national headquarters where he went on to overseer the introduction of iPhones for frontline staff.
McSimming was in charge of the introduction of the 105 non-emergency phone line.
Known for his love of motorbikes, he turned to gliding after a crash in about 2012. He went on to become an instructor, bought his own glider and took part in a promotional video for the police.
Under the leadership of Andy Coster, McSkimming was made a deputy commissioner in 2020 with his role becoming “statutory” three years later, meaning he now had the backing of politicians.
That all changed when, shortly before Christmas, McSkimming was stood down on full pay. Five months later, Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced McSkimming had resigned and a criminal investigation was under way.
As well as the charges of possessing objectionable material, McSkimming also faces an investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority.