Actions of police leadership who responded to Jevon McSkimming complaint ‘inexcusable’, says police boss
Tuesday, 11 November 2025
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has branded the actions of his former senior colleagues “inexcusable” and displaying a “total lack of leadership and integrity at the highest levels of police”, following a damning independent report into how police handled complaints against now disgraced second-in-command, Jevon McSkimming.
Chambers dubbed the 135-page document released by the Independent Police Conduct Authority on Tuesday “appalling reading”.
The report comes against the backdrop of former deputy commissioner, Jevon McSkimming, pleading guilty last week to charges of possessing objectionable material, including images depicting child sexual exploitation and bestiality.
Earlier on Tuesday, it was revealed that police bosses ignored complaints against McSkimming, instead charging the woman who complained about him over “revenge emails”.
It was revealed on Tuesday those charges were laid under the Harmful Digital Communications Act in relation to emails that accused McSkimming of sexual offending during his time at police.
“The usual integrity checks and balances were bypassed, there was interference from the highest levels, and the ambitions of a senior police officer were put above the interests of a vulnerable woman,” Chambers said.
“I am apologising to the woman at the centre of this for the repeated early failures in following the proper processes for investigating this matter by those at such a senior level of Police. She was ignored and badly let down. That was unacceptable.”
He added the events detailed in the report would be a “kick in the guts” for the 15,000 women and men in the police force.
“That has angered me. It was not those staff who were found wanting here. It was a failing of leadership.
“The actions and attitudes set out in the report are inexcusable and show a disrespect and disregard for what NZ Police stands for.”
While most of those referenced in the report are no longer employed by the police, Chambers said he had appointed an independent King’s Counsel to undertake any employment investigations needed.
“Over many years, Police has put a lot of resource and effort into developing and implementing very robust processes for dealing with sexual violence complaints. Our specialist adult sexual assault teams are highly trained and dedicated.
“One of the most disappointing things about this report was that a small group of senior leaders at that time elected to depart from those processes.
“The attitudes on display here are not attitudes I have experienced among specialist investigation team staff, nor are they attitudes acceptable to me,” Chambers finished.