Former Deputy Police Commissioner Pleads Guilty to Disturbing Offenses

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming has pleaded guilty to charges involving the possession of child sexual exploitation and bestiality material. Court documents reveal that McSkimming engaged in alarming online behavior using his work devices, including approximately 5,354 Google searches related to objectionable content.

McSkimming’s illicit activities came to light when police discovered concerning internet browsing behavior in December 2024. His work devices were found to have been used for explicit searches, with a significant proportion aimed at accessing pornographic material. Notably, 1 percent of his total searches were intended to return objectionable images, while 7 percent were “highly likely” to yield such content.

Details of the Case

The summary of facts, which was shared with RNZ, outlines McSkimming’s responsibilities as he served as deputy commissioner and later as the chief security officer for the New Zealand Police from March 2021. In these roles, he was accountable for protective security policies, and he participated in the Security and Privacy Reference Group, where he had knowledge of information security controls.

In late 2020, the police leadership team decided to halt six-monthly internet usage monitoring reports, a decision McSkimming would have been aware of. Following this, his browsing activity drew attention, leading to an investigation into his internet searches. The police documented that McSkimming conducted numerous searches featuring explicit terms and references to highly sensitive content, including references to child exploitation.

Among the recorded searches, the police identified 880 objectionable images during their analysis of selected sessions. This included 812 images involving adult bestiality and 68 images classified as child sexual exploitation material. Overall, 37 percent of the objectionable images were related to child exploitation, while 63 percent pertained to bestiality.

Reactions and Future Actions

When approached by police about the investigation in March 2025, McSkimming reportedly admitted to a colleague that he had found a way to circumvent police systems to access pornography. He described his upbringing, stating that he grew up in an environment where pornography was normalized. Moreover, he disclosed that over the years, he required varying types of pornography to “make him feel anything,” indicating a concerning escalation in his behavior.

Following the guilty plea, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers emphasized the importance of integrity within the police force. He stated he could not comment on the specifics of McSkimming’s case due to its ongoing nature but expressed pride in the dedication of the police staff who serve the community with integrity.

This case raises significant concerns about the accountability of individuals in positions of power within law enforcement and underscores the necessity for stringent oversight regarding internet usage, particularly in sensitive roles.

Victims of sexual violence are encouraged to reach out to available resources, including the New Zealand Police and various support organizations, for assistance.