Top NZ Police Officer Resigns Amid Serious Allegations

One of New Zealand’s most senior police leaders, Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, has resigned after new and very serious allegations surfaced — separate from the earlier investigation that had already seen him suspended since December.

While the original reasons for his suspension can’t be made public for legal reasons, what we can share is that during the investigation, police allegedly found pornographic material on his work computer — and now it’s being looked at to see if it meets the legal threshold for “objectionable content”, which could lead to criminal charges.

Here’s a quick breakdown:

• McSkimming had been under investigation by both Police and the Independent Police Conduct Authority.
• After being confronted with new allegations, he chose to resign immediately.
• The government had already begun steps to remove him, with Police Minister Mark Mitchell saying that McSkimming’s role as a top police officer was “no longer tenable.”
• Investigations are still ongoing despite his resignation.

The newly discovered content wasn’t part of the original complaint but triggered a separate investigation — and that’s when McSkimming walked away from the role.

Worth noting: He was once in the running to become New Zealand’s next Police Commissioner, and had served the force for nearly three decades. His sudden resignation leaves a major vacancy in the police executive team.

For many, this news is deeply disappointing — especially given the standards and trust we place in those at the very top of law enforcement. The final outcome of the criminal investigation will be closely watched.