Ex-New Zealand police chief indicted for possessing content depicting child abuse and bestiality
Former Deputy Police Commissioner of New Zealand Faces Child Sexual Exploitation and Bestiality Charges
Jevon McSkimming, the former Deputy Police Commissioner of New Zealand, is currently facing eight charges related to the possession of objectionable material, including child sexual exploitation and bestiality content.
The allegations against McSkimming came to light in June 2025, when he was arrested. Since then, the investigation and prosecution have been ongoing, with the case first appearing in Wellington District Court via audio-visual link. The name suppression that had previously been in place was lifted on August 4, 2025, allowing McSkimming's identity to be publicly disclosed.
The specific charges against McSkimming include eight counts of possessing objectionable material. The offenses are alleged to have occurred between specific dates, with one charge stating that the offenses happened between July 2020 and December 2024.
McSkimming was put on leave a month after the new Police Commissioner, Richard Chambers, took office. In an email last month to police staff, Chambers acknowledged that people feel "angry and feel let down" regarding the McSkimming case. Chambers has not spoken to the media about the case beyond a statement acknowledging McSkimming's resignation in May.
Minister of Police Mark Mitchell has declined to comment on the case but has expressed concern about the potential reputational damage it may cause to the police force. However, Mitchell believes the public should recognize the outstanding performance of the police force and its officers, despite this case involving a senior police officer.
McSkimming's lawyer, Letizea Ord, stated that there is no further application for name suppression. Judge Black remanded McSkimming on bail, and he will reappear before the court in November. McSkimming has not yet entered a plea.
It is worth noting that McSkimming was suspended from his job on full pay in December 2024, six months before his resignation in May. McSkimming beat Chambers to win the police commissioner role in November 2024, but Chambers went on to take the position after McSkimming's resignation.
As of now, no further updates on trial dates or resolutions have been reported. The courts had previously prevented media from reporting McSkimming's name or details of the case, but with the name suppression lifted, the public is now informed about the ongoing case.
[1] Stuff
[2] Newshub
[3] RNZ
[4] TVNZ
[5] 1News
Politics dragged into the general-news sphere, as the former Deputy Police Commissioner of New Zealand, Jevon McSkimming, faces serious charges relating to crime-and-justice matters such as child sexual exploitation and bestiality. These charges are part of an ongoing investigation that came to light in June 2025, with the case appearing in Wellington District Court via audio-visual link.
