Deputy Police Commissioner resigns, after “very serious allegations”

Jevon McSkimming Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker.

News from NZ Government
The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Jevon McSkimming, has resigned.

Mr McSkimming has been on suspension since December. Deputy Commissioners of Police are appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Prime Minister.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell said Mr McSkimming resigned today, with immediate effect, before he could be dismissed.

“I can confirm a process had been underway for the Prime Minister to consider recommending the Governor-General immediately remove the Deputy Commissioner of Police from office,” says Mr Mitchell.

“I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended.

“The Policing Act is very clear: A Deputy Commissioner of Police must be a ‘fit and proper’ person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming’s fitness for office.

“When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign. Mr McSkimming’s resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable.

“Police advise that their investigations into Mr McSkimming will continue, notwithstanding his resignation.

“As the latest information remains subject to ongoing Police investigation, I am unable to provide further comment at this time.”

RNZ reports that McSkimming is under investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and by the New Zealand Police. The nature of the allegations against him cannot be reported.

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said he had been advised of Jevon McSkimming’s resignation from his position with NZ Police. “The criminal investigation will continue and is not affected by the resignation. I have no further comment at this stage.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has not said why McSkimming resigned. Luxon was asked multiple times by the media this afternoon for comment, but did not offer any explanation. “I’m not going to get into any of this,” said Luxon. “The reality is I’m aware of the resignation, aware of the circumstances around it.

“We can say as much as we can say at this point… ongoing investigation, nothing further to say.” He said there will be more to say later.