But the police watchdog also looked into allegations that McSkimming was staying in hotels in Wellington with Ms Z using a taxpayer-funded credit card.
At the time of their sexual relationship in 2016 and 2017, McSkimming lived about 60km from his workplace at Police National Headquarters.
His executive assistant would book hotel accommodation, at police expense, so McSkimming could attend functions or late meetings in Wellington, or catch early morning flights.
“The rationale for these bookings was explained to us to avoid a long drive home after a work event where he was required to attend a social function to ensure he was not having a drink and then driving,” the IPCA said.
The IPCA investigation was hampered by a lack of credit card records but McSkimming told investigators that Ms Z stayed with him “eight or 10 times”.
This was confirmed by Ms Z, according to the IPCA.
“Mr McSkimming breached policy by not informing his manager approving the travel that she would be staying with him.
“If he had done so, we consider it highly likely that approval would have been declined.”
“In any case, whether or not he informed his manager, he breached the police code of conduct by staying in hotels at police expense and inviting the woman with whom he was having a sexual relationship to join him,” the IPCA said.
“If he had paid for the hotels himself, it would have been a different matter. However, the fact that the hotels were paid for by the police gives rise to the perception he was using taxpayer money to further a clandestine affair, thus bringing police into disrepute.”
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he was very concerned to learn of McSkimming’s use of hotels in Wellington and agreed with the findings of the IPCA.
“This showed a disregard for taxpayers’ money and police expenditure policy.
“I intend to write to Mr McSkimming seeking reimbursement of the costs of these hotel stays,” Chambers said.
“As the IPCA report states, the NZ Police policy for sensitive expenditure requires spending to be reasonable and able to withstand parliamentary and public scrutiny. It is my view that unless there are exceptional work-related circumstances, staff should not require hotel accommodation in the same centre as their normal place of work.”
The new IPCA report comes a few months after a bombshell report by the police watchdog which criticised senior police, including former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, for failing to investigate Ms Z’s repeated allegations against McSkimming.
In a bid to restore the public’s battered trust and confidence in the police, the Government has agreed to implement all the IPCA recommendations, in order to increase scrutiny of poor behaviour.
This will include the establishment of an Inspector-General position.
Jared Savage covers crime and justice issues, with a particular interest in organised crime. He joined the Herald in 2006 and has won a dozen journalism awards in that time, including twice being named Reporter of the Year. He is also the author of Gangland, Gangster’s Paradise and Underworld.
