Senior detective allegedly possessed child exploitation and bestiality material

Friday, 12 June 2026

Three officers have been charged after the review.

A senior Auckland detective is one of the three police officers charged with possessing objectionable publications following investigations arising from a rapid review of police information security controls in the wake of the McSkimming scandal.

The detective, aged in his 60s, faces 11 charges of possessing objectionable publications, some of which depicted child exploitation, bestiality and rape.

Another Auckland officer, in his 50s, faces nine charges relating to alleged offending spanning 2023 through to 2025.

Both officers have interim suppression and are set to appear in court later this month.

A Wellington-based police officer is set to appear in court next week.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Tim Anderson said on Thursday, the decision to prosecute police employees was a “serious but important step to take” as it reflected the seriousness of the allegations uncovered during the investigations.

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The rapid review involved a “significant volume of web activity”.

“I would like to acknowledge the professionalism and commitment by our investigators in the National Integrity Unit for their work to this point,” Anderson said.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has pleaded guilty to three charges of possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material. He resigned earlier this year after objectionable material was found on his work computer.

All three police officers remain stood down from duties.

The “rapid review” of security on police devices was triggered by serious concerns about police information security in the wake of former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming being found with objectionable material on his work devices.

He pleaded guilty to charges involving child exploitation and bestiality images and avoided jail at his sentencing in December.

Anderson said three investigations remain ongoing as part of the rapid review.

In total, police investigated 22 cases connected to the rapid review. Of those, 12 have been resolved through disciplinary action or performance management processes.

Four people have resigned during the review process.