Former New Zealand police chief faces charges for possessing explicit content involving child abuse and bestiality.
In a shocking turn of events, Jevon McSkimming, the former Deputy Police Commissioner of New Zealand, is currently facing criminal charges involving child exploitation and bestiality material. McSkimming, aged 51-52, lost his right to anonymity after the charges were made public earlier in August 2025.
The case has been described as a "really disturbing situation" by former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster. Following the revelation of McSkimming's charges, the current Police Commissioner, Richard Chambers, ordered an independent review into police information security. The review found that police systems regarding data and internet usage controls were inconsistent and inadequate, prompting the return of six-monthly audits of police device activity to prevent misuse.
McSkimming is accused of possessing eight charges relating to objectionable material showing child sexual abuse and bestiality content. He first appeared in court by audio link in early August, and the details of the charges have become public as name suppression was lifted. The investigation and legal process appear ongoing.
Judge Black remanded McSkimming on bail and set a court date for November. One of the charges states the offenses happened between July 2020 and December 2024. McSkimming opted not to seek an extension of the suppression order in court on Monday.
In a show of support for the police force, Minister of Police Mark Mitchell believes the public should recognize the outstanding work of the police force and its officers, despite this case involving a senior police officer. However, Mitchell has declined to comment on the specifics of the case, expressing only concern about the potential reputational damage.
In an email last month to police staff, Commissioner Chambers acknowledged feelings of anger and letdown among his team. He expressed that he felt the same as those who felt angry and let down. Chambers won the police commissioner role in November 2024, a month before McSkimming was put on leave. McSkimming was suspended from his job on full pay in December 2024 and was on leave for six months before his resignation in May. McSkimming was arrested in June.
McSkimming's lawyer, Letizea Ord, stated that the name suppression can lapse today. The courts had previously prevented media from reporting McSkimming's name or details of the case.
As the legal proceedings continue, the New Zealand public awaits updates on this troubling situation.
- The general news dominates conversations, with the ongoing case of Jevon McSkimming, a former Deputy Police Commissioner, being a matter of politics and crime-and-justice, as he faces criminal charges for child exploitation and bestiality material.
- Amidst the court proceedings, the matter of police data security and internet usage controls has come to light, with an independent review revealing inconsistencies and inadequacies, leading to the reinstatement of six-monthly audits of police device activity to prevent misuse in politics and general-news discussions.
