Jevon McSkimming sentencing: why a public inquiry into the police should be next

Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming was sentenced to nine months home detention on November 6, 2025, after pleading guilty to eight charges related to possessing child exploitation and bestiality material. His crimes surfaced only after complaints about his conduct during promotion processes triggered investigations. The Independent Police Conduct Authority found earlier complaints of sexual misconduct were dismissed or minimized, with a young staff member who reported the behavior undermined. New Zealand has one of the highest rates of intimate partner violence in the OECD, with police responding to 400 family harm incidents daily. The case raises serious questions about accountability at the highest levels of policing and protection of whistleblowers. Experts call for an independent public inquiry to examine police culture, assess compliance with UN anti-corruption and anti-discrimination conventions, and strengthen whistleblower protections beyond the IPCA's narrow mandate.