Frontline officers say Jevon McSkimming scandal has ‘betrayed the uniform’

As the Jevon McSkimming scandal engulfs the upper echelons of the New Zealand Police, investigative reporter Michael Morrah asks frontline officers for their views on the case and asks why some of the most senior police in the country were so quick to dismiss sexual misconduct allegations against their colleague.

Frontline police are furious about the Jevon McSkimming scandal, with sources telling the Herald it has “betrayed the uniform” and the fallout could mean victims refrain from disclosing offences to police.

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report into the handling of sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming found some of the most senior cops in the country failed to properly investigate a complainant’s claims to protect their colleague.

The complainant, a woman 19 years younger than McSkimming, raised a series of serious sexual allegations via anonymous emails and to the police 105 line about his conduct.

Instead of investigating whether the sex claims could be stacked up or not, police used the emails as evidence to prosecute her under the Harmful Digital Communications Act.

The bombshell report has resulted in former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, once an outspoken advocate of progressive policing, taking leave from his new role as the chief executive of the Social Investment Agency.

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming pleaded guilty in the Wellington District Court to eight charges of possessing objectionable publications. Photo / Mark Mitchell

McSkimming, who has already admitted to using police work devices to search for child exploitation and bestiality images, was called a “devious liar” by the Public Service Commissioner Sir Brian Roche, who said the ex-police leader went to extreme efforts to cover up allegations against him.

A police source told the Herald the job he and his colleagues do every day is difficult and dangerous and the McSkimming case will cause additional problems for frontline staff.

“We get kicked, punched and spat at regularly just for doing our jobs and these incidents will add fuel to the animosity aimed at police,” he said.

He also spoke of the impact McSkimming’s possession of child sexual abuse material had on all police.

“When a police officer commits these disgusting acts, it reflects poorly on all of us. It’s a shameful time to wear this uniform,” the officer told the Herald.

Police officers have told the Herald they feel Jevon McSkimming has betrayed the police uniform. Photo / Supplied

He said he took pride in wearing his uniform and McSkimming had “stripped away” the hard work honest police do every day.

He expressed concern the McSkimming case, and the way it was handled by those in top policing positions, may prevent victims from coming forward.

“I’m concerned that victims won’t contact police, an organisation that they should trust, because of this.

“The only saving grace is the strong and decisive words from our Commissioner [Richard Chambers]. We need to own this, clear the decks and rebuild. We will be proud again,” he said.

Another police officer said investigative staff who work in adult sexual assault teams always strive to do their best for victims.

However, he said the McSkimming scandal would present fresh challenges.

“While they [adult sexual assault investigators] keep doing the best they can, all of us are suffering the loss of trust in the New Zealand Police, and the current staff on the frontline and investigators have to face the brunt of that,” the officer said.

Frontline police say they are “hurt and angered” by McSkimming and his actions. Photo / Marty Melville.

Another officer told the Herald that McSkimming had “betrayed the uniform” while using his “old boys’ club” to protect and further his own career.

He said frontline police were “hurt and angered” by McSkimming and his actions.

“This is a man who for decades preached the values of New Zealand Police, who purported to be protecting New Zealanders all the while he has been committing some of the most heinous types of offending, perpetuating the victimisation of some of our most vulnerable victims,” he said in relation to McSkimming’s admission to accessing child exploitation images.

A fourth police officer felt hardworking frontline staff would “get on with our mahi” as usual despite the fallout but it was “timely to rip the scab off and start over”.

“There is a lot of work for the Commissioner to do,” she said.

Michael Morrah is a senior investigative reporter/team leader at the Herald. He won News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards and has twice been named reporter of the year at the NZ Television Awards. He has been a broadcast journalist for 20 years and joined the Herald’s video team in July 2024.