Former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming revealed as high-profile person facing serious charges

Monday, 4 August 2025

Jevon McSkimming, pictured leaving court surrounded by media.

Former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming has been revealed as the prominent defendant facing serious charges relating to the possession of objectionable material.

McSkimming, who turns 52 this week, first appeared in the Wellington District Court via audio visual link on July 3. At that time he was described as a “prominent” New Zealander, as his name and the charges were suppressed.

But on Monday he did not ask for those suppression orders to continue.

McSkimming, in the dock at the Wellington District Court on Monday.

He faced eight charges of possessing objectionable publications, four of them bestiality, three child exploitation and one with child exploitation and bestiality.

The charge alleging both elements spanned July 2020 to December 2024, but the other charges alleged offences on specific dates between July 2020 and August 2024. All the charges were representative, meaning they potentially covered multiple incidents.

McSkimming entered no plea. Judge Tim Black remanded him on bail and said he was due to appear in court again on November 6. Monday’s hearing took only three or four minutes.

McSkimming sat in the dock, hands in pockets, and mostly looking down while his lawyer, Letizea Ord, spoke.

McSkimming arrived shortly after the court opened, dressed in smart casual clothing. He refused to answer questions when approached by a reporter from The Post.

McSkimming arrives at Wellington District Court on Monday, with The Post reporter Katie Ham asking him questions.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said the prosecution showed “no member of the police is above the law, no matter how senior”. He said he could not comment further while the matter was before the courts.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell also said he could not comment.

Before he was charged McSkimming had sought a “super injunction” in the High Court, to prevent reporting of the nature of the material allegedly found on his computer. At first the court order had also 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.

That left the only fact still under wraps was that McSkimming had already been charged, which has also now come to an end.