Former Deputy Police Commissioner Admits to Possessing Objectionable Material

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has pleaded guilty to possessing material classified as child sexual exploitation and bestiality. This admission follows an investigation into his internet usage while employed by the New Zealand Police, where he held the position of chief security officer since March 2021. The case has raised significant concerns regarding the integrity and conduct expected from police officials.

Court documents divulge that McSkimming engaged in extensive searches for objectionable content on his work devices. Between July 1, 2020 and December 18, 2024, he conducted a total of 5,354 searches, with 1,922 categorized as adult or pornographic. Notably, 64 of these searches were specifically aimed at finding objectionable images, with an additional 368 searches deemed “highly likely” to yield such content.

The details surrounding McSkimming’s internet activity indicate a troubling pattern. Reports reveal that he escalated his search for various types of pornography over the years, expressing to colleagues that he required “different types of pornography to make him feel anything.” The incriminating searches included terms associated with both child exploitation and bestiality, raising alarms within the police force.

Details of the Investigation

The investigation commenced after discrepancies in McSkimming’s internet usage were detected. Following a decision in late 2020 to cease six-monthly internet monitoring reports for senior leadership, McSkimming’s searches became increasingly concerning. The police system logs every search made on devices connected to their network. If a user attempted to visit a prohibited website, alerts were generated, but searches that did not result in accessing a site typically did not trigger a warning.

According to the summary of facts, police analysis of McSkimming’s search history indicated that during work hours, approximately 7 percent of his internet searches were either intended to return or likely to return objectionable content. In total, police identified 2,945 objectionable images resulting from his searches, with a significant portion comprising adult bestiality and child sexual exploitation material.

The police identified 880 objectionable images from seven search sessions analyzed, of which 812 were related to adult bestiality and 68 involved child sexual exploitation. The alarming nature of these findings has led to serious discussions about the accountability of individuals in positions of authority.

Reactions and Implications for the Police Force

Following McSkimming’s guilty plea, Richard Chambers, the Police Commissioner, expressed his commitment to upholding the values of the police force. He stated, “Individuals who do not uphold the values or display the integrity required to be a member of the NZ Police should be dealt with appropriately.” Chambers refrained from commenting on specific details of the case, as it awaits sentencing.

The ramifications of this case extend beyond McSkimming, highlighting the importance of rigorous oversight within law enforcement agencies. The police force is now faced with the task of restoring public trust and ensuring that similar incidents do not occur in the future.

For those affected by sexual violence, numerous resources are available in New Zealand, including support from organizations such as Victim Support and Rape Crisis.

As the legal proceedings continue, the case serves as a stark reminder of the responsibilities held by law enforcement officials and the imperative to maintain the highest ethical standards.