Senior Police Ignored Integrity Protocols in McSkimming Case

The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) has released a report revealing significant failures by senior police officials in handling serious complaints against former Police Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming. Instead of investigating the complaints brought forth by a female complainant, identified as ‘Ms Z’, police leadership pursued legal action against her, leading to accusations of misconduct against the officers involved.

The IPCA’s findings, published on November 11, 2024, describe a troubling pattern of “serious misconduct” and a “total lack of leadership and integrity” among senior police figures. These issues stem from complaints made in 2023 and early 2024 regarding McSkimming’s alleged sexual misconduct, which included claims of sexual activity without consent and threats involving intimate recordings.

In a stark contrast to the treatment of the complainant, police focused their resources on prosecuting her under the Harmful Digital Communications Act. The charges against Ms Z were only recently dropped by the Crown, indicating a troubling shift where the alleged victim became the target of law enforcement scrutiny.

Mismanagement of Complaints and Leadership Failures

The IPCA report highlights how senior officials, including then-Commissioner Andrew Coster, two deputy commissioners, and an assistant commissioner, failed to act on the numerous complaints submitted via various channels such as emails, social media, and the police reporting line. Instead of launching an investigation into the allegations against McSkimming, the police initiated a case against Ms Z, reflecting a profound mismanagement of the situation.

In a further escalation of the issue, when the police finally referred the case to the IPCA in October 2024, Coster attempted to influence the investigation’s scope and timing. This action was perceived as an effort to protect McSkimming’s chances of ascending to a higher rank within the police force. The report underscores that Coster did not reveal his knowledge of the relationship during previous appointment processes, which raises serious ethical concerns.

The IPCA concluded that these failures have undermined the overall integrity of the New Zealand Police and exposed significant flaws in how senior leadership manages internal integrity risks. “The usual integrity checks and balances were bypassed,” the authority stated, emphasizing the urgent need for reform.

Apologies and Calls for Reform

In response to the findings, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers expressed regret over the actions of former senior leaders, describing their conduct as “inexcusable.” He stated, “The ambitions of a senior police officer were put above the interests of a vulnerable woman. She was ignored and badly let down. That was unacceptable.” Chambers characterized the report’s revelations as “appalling reading,” highlighting a significant leadership failure at the highest levels of the police force.

Chambers confirmed that most individuals involved in the case have since left the organization. He also announced that an independent King’s Counsel would oversee any necessary employment investigations. To address these systemic issues, an integrity reform program is being implemented, which includes enhancements to the National Integrity Unit and revisions to the Police Code of Conduct.

The IPCA has called for legislative and structural reforms to improve the independence of misconduct investigations, expand oversight powers, and ensure greater scrutiny of integrity cases by ministerial and parliamentary bodies. While acknowledging that most officers act with fairness, the report stressed the need for a sustained plan of action to restore public trust in the police.

Chambers reassured the public, stating, “The absolute worst outcome would be if anyone felt unsafe reporting sexual assault to police. I want to reassure you that is not the case.” The findings of the IPCA serve as a critical reminder of the importance of accountability and integrity within law enforcement institutions.