Police Commissioner Richard Chambers under investigation after complaint of sexual nature

Thursday, 25 June 2026

Police and the IPCA are investigating complaints regarding Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.

In an internal note sent to staff, Chambers rejected the claims and promised to cooperate with the investigation. He said he would not be taking leave.

Stuff understands two police officers travelled to Australia to speak to a woman regarding a complaint of a sexual nature. NZME is reporting she was in a relationship with Chambers over 20 years ago.

An investigation is under way following complaints about Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell told Stuff he was aware of the complaints and that they were being investigated by police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA).

Mitchell declined to be interviewed or comment further, but said in an Official Information Act response he had received two complaints related to Chambers - one on November 21, 2025, and another on February 1, 2026. They were referred to the IPCA and the National Integrity Unit, he said.

Stuff understands two police officers from the National Integrity Unit travelled to Australia to speak to a woman earlier this month, and did so again on Thursday, regarding a complaint of a sexual nature. NZME is reporting she was in a relationship with Chambers over 20 years ago.

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Chambers, in an internal note to staff on Thursday afternoon, said he “strongly reject[ed] the claims that have been made”.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell with Police Commissioner Richard Chambers during Scrutiny Week at Parliament last year.

“I will cooperate fully with the investigation and I look forward to having the matter dealt with,” he said in the note.

“It is important to let that investigation take its course without any interference. That is what anyone would expect, including myself. I am advised it is not necessary for me to take leave at this point.”

Chambers has been contacted for further comment.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers says the Government’s target of 500 new police officers by late November was always aspirational, noting it would have required lowering recruitment standards. He says new initiatives are helping boost numbers.

An IPCA spokesperson confirmed they had received complaints regarding Chambers, and that both the IPCA and police were investigating.

“We are actively overseeing the police component of the investigation; this includes ensuring the integrity of the investigation is maintained,” the spokesperson said.

“We recognise that there is a high level of public interest in complaints which involve senior police officers. It is important that these complaints are appropriately assessed and follow normal complaint processes.

“In accordance with the principles of fair process and natural justice for the parties involved, we will not be making any comment about the substance of these complaints until the investigations are concluded.”

Separate historical complaint

It was revealed in April that an internal complaint was upheld against Chambers in 2012, after he breached police policy by giving a civilian police employee a pre-charge warning for their possession of cannabis.

At the time, Chambers was an Inspector and relieving as the Wellington District Commander. The employee to whom he gave the warning resigned from police shortly afterwards.

The complaint was made and upheld against Chambers in 2012, as the employee should have been charged rather than given a warning, 1News reported.

Between 1998 and 2020, six complaints were lodged against Chambers, but only the complaint relating to the cannabis warning was upheld, 1News reported in April following an Official Information Act request.

Chambers later became police commissioner in late 2024.