Jevon McSkimming resignation: IPCA to investigate how senior police handled original misconduct allegations against former Deputy Commissioner

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming is under criminal investigation by the police, and the Independent Police Conduct Authority over allegations of misconduct. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Some of the highest-ranking police officers in New Zealand will be interviewed as part of dual investigations by the independent police watchdog into allegations of misconduct by former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

McSkimming had been suspended on full pay since December while under criminal investigation by the police, and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.

The nature of the original allegations against McSkimming, which led to his suspension, cannot be reported currently for legal reasons.

He had previously expected to “resume his duties” at the conclusion of the investigations but resigned suddenly on Monday after being confronted with allegations of a “very serious nature”.

“I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended,” Police Minister Mark Mitchell said.

“The Policing Act is very clear: A Deputy Commissioner of Police must be a ‘fit and proper’ person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming’s fitness for office.

“When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign. Mr McSkimming’s resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable.”

Mitchell and the Police Commissioner Richard Chambers have not commented on the nature of the new allegations because of the ongoing investigations.

But the Herald understands that detectives investigating the original complaint against McSkimming allegedly discovered pornographic material on one of his electronic work devices.

It is understood that the material is being assessed as to whether or not it could be classified as objectionable, which could lead to criminal charges.

The alleged pornographic material was not relevant to the original complaint, but was evidence to start a new investigation.

McSkimming’s lawyer Linda Clark has declined to comment on his behalf.

Today, the Independent Police Complaints Authority revealed new details about its investigations into allegations of misconduct by McSkimming following a “complaint from a member of the public”.

“This comprises oversight of a Police investigation into whether there has been any criminal wrongdoing by Mr McSkimming and a review of whether there has been any related non-criminal misconduct,” the IPCA said in written statement released on Thursday.

“In addition, the Authority is conducting an independent investigation into whether there has been misconduct or neglect of duty by any other police officer or employee in the course of responding to the allegations.”

The IPCA said no further comment would be made until the investigations are complete, but would not give a timeframe on when that might be.

McSkimming was the second-most powerful police officer in the country until this week.

Given his seniority in the ranks, the Herald understands that it is expected that former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster and other members of the police executive - past and present - would be interviewed by the IPCA about their knowledge of the “complaint by the member of the public”.

Coster is now the chief executive of the Social Investment Agency.

He declined to comment about McSkimming when questioned by media this morning.

“I can‘t comment on the details of this because there are multiple investigations underway and we need to let those investigations take their course,” Coster said.

“It might be appropriate for me to comment when that’s occurred, but in the meantime, it’s most appropriate for me to say nothing.”

The Herald has separately asked Coster if he has been interviewed by the IPCA yet.

Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster, flanked by deputies Tania Kura and Jevon McSkimming, during an appearance before the Justice select committee in 2023. Photo / Mark Mitchell

The sudden resignation of McSkimming is a shocking development given he was one of the top candidates to replace Coster as the Commissioner of Police in late 2024.

McSkimming graduated from Police College in 1996 and spent the first 10 years of his career in frontline roles in Auckland, Southland and the West Coast.

He shifted to the Wellington district for several years in leadership positions, before moving to Police National Headquarters (PNHQ) in 2010 and rising through the ranks there.

In 2023, McSkimming was promoted to deputy commissioner on the recommendation of Chris Hipkins, who was Prime Minister at the time, following a Public Service Commission selection process.

“Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming brings a relatively unique career path within New Zealand Police,” according to a report presented by Hipkins to Cabinet.

“He has been a police officer for 27 years but, since 2010, McSkimming has used his operational skills across the organisation to shape strategy, service delivery and resolutions, financial planning, arms administration, ICT and infrastructure.”

The departure of McSkimming means there is now a vacancy for an influential position in the police executive.

He was one of two statutory Deputy Commissioners, an appointment made by the Government, which is an important role within the constitutional framework of police and carries a safeguard of independence from the Police Commissioner.

If Chambers was to be incapacitated, for example, the most senior statutory deputy commissioner takes charge until a new commissioner is appointed.

Similarly, if any allegations were made against Chambers, the statutory deputy has the independence to investigate without interference.

Following McSkimming’s departure, Tania Kura is now the only possible replacement for Chambers until a new statutory deputy is appointed.

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.