‘Atrocious on every level’: sex case findings shame New Zealand’s senior police culture | New Zealand
The New Zealand government will make the unprecedented move to appoint an inspector general of police after a damning report found “significant failings” in the way senior police officers handled serious sexual complaints against a former high-ranking civil servant.
Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) announced 135 page report On Tuesday he detailed the allegations made against former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming and the police response to them.
On a separate topic, McSkimming last week pleaded guilty possession of child sexual abuse and bestiality material.
Tuesday’s IPCA report said instead of investigating allegations made against McSkimming, police used incriminating emails sent by the complainant, known as Ms Z, to accuse her of sending harmful digital communications.
The report found there were “significant failings” in the police response to complaints, characterized by inaction and “the unquestioning acceptance of Mr McSkimming’s version of events”. He recommended revamping police policies, creating more robust processes to address allegations of police misconduct, and increasing oversight.
“This is appalling on every level,” police minister Mark Mitchell told broadcaster RNZ on Wednesday.
Mitchell said the report highlighted “significant flaws” in police decision-making, judgment and actions, including by former leaders.
“Their actions raised serious concerns about the integrity and culture of the management at the time,” he said.
Mitchell said appointing an inspector general would help ensure police follow proper procedure and restore public confidence in the police.
The report said the allegations stemmed from a sexual relationship between McSkimming, then 40, and non-sworn police officer Ms. Z, then 21, that began in 2016.
After the relationship ended in 2018, McSkimming informed senior police staff about their relationship and told his superior that Ms Z had threatened and blackmailed him.
The report alleged that from 2018, Ms Z sent hundreds of emails to McSkimming and other police personnel, made several posts on social media and complained to the police helpline, detailing allegations against McSkimming, including non-consensual sexual interaction and threats to use intimate video footage.
In January 2024, Ms Z’s emails were used to accuse her of harmful digital communications towards McSkimming. The charges were later withdrawn.
Police decided to investigate Ms Z’s allegations a month after charging her, but the IPCA found the investigation process was “totally contrary” to the police’s usual practice and that the future of McSkimming’s career was prioritized.
The report found then-commissioner Andrew Coster “attempted to influence the nature and scope of the investigation” and failed to disclose his knowledge of McSkimming’s relationship to the Public Service Commission during the deputy commissioner’s appointment process.
The Guardian has contacted McSkimming’s lawyer for comment. Coster declined to comment.
Current police commissioner Richard Chambers described the actions and attitudes set out in the report as “inexcusable” and apologized to Ms Z, who he said had been ignored and badly let down.
“The ambitions of a senior police officer were put above the interests of a defenseless woman.”
