DEPUTY Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, New Zealand’s second-highest ranking police officer, has been caught secretly watching child sexual exploitation and bestiality on his work devices.
McSkimming, 52, was suspended on full pay back in January in relation to separate investigations into allegations of sexual misconduct. His lawyer said McSkimming was “co-operating fully” with Police and looked forward to the investigation being concluded “swiftly” and McSkimming resuming his duties as Deputy Commissioner.
But in March McSkimming was notified of a second criminal investigation relating to his use of his work devices.
It was not until two months later, after the public broadcaster Radio NZ approached McSkimming for comments on the allegations, that the Public Service Commission provided McSkimming with two documents including a summary of a forensic report on the activity on his work devices as well as a pre-submission classification summary by the Deputy Chief Censor.
The accompanying letter from the Public Service Commission said “a preliminary view had been reached” that the information it had received from Police called into “serious question” McSkimming’s fitness to remain in his position and justified consideration of whether he should be removed from office.
Three days later, on 12 May, the Police Minister in a sternly written press release announced McSkimming had resigned saying he had effectively jumped before he could be pushed. It was the end of a 29-year career.
The following month, McSkimming was arrested on charges of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material, knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the publication is objectionable. The offending occurred between July 2020 and December 2024.
On Thursday last week, the 52-year-old pleaded guilty to the charges and will be sentenced in December.