Call for Full Forensic Search of Jevon McSkimming’s Personal Devices
The issue
We, the undersigned, are concerned New Zealand citizens calling for transparency and stronger accountability in the case of former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Background:
- Jevon McSkimming, one of the most senior officers in New Zealand Police, resigned in May 2025.
- In December 2025 he pleaded guilty to possessing nearly 3,000 objectionable images on his police-issued work devices, including child sexual exploitation material (around one-third of the images, with ~280 involving real children) and bestiality material.
- He was sentenced to only 9 months home detention and was not placed on the Child Sex Offender Register.
- Despite public concern, the Solicitor-General reviewed the sentence in February 2026 and decided not to appeal, determining it was not “manifestly inadequate”.
- Critically, the material was found only on his work devices. There is no public record that Police ever searched his home or personal devices.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) reports (November 2025 and March 2026) highlighted serious failings in how senior Police handled earlier complaints against him, including poor investigations and a culture of minimising allegations.
Our Requests:
1. The IPCA and/or NZ Police publicly explain why McSkimming’s home and personal devices were never forensically searched, and take immediate steps to do so if legally possible.
2. The Government and Police ensure that the high rank and position of trust held by an offender (Deputy Commissioner) is given appropriate weight as an aggravating factor in sentencing, with a strong deterrent message.
3. Fast-track the establishment and resourcing of the new **Inspector-General of Police** with robust independent powers.
4. Greater transparency around decisions not to appeal lenient sentences in high-profile cases involving senior public officials.
Public trust in New Zealand Police has been damaged. When those at the very top appear to receive lighter treatment, it undermines confidence in the justice system and fails to deter others. Sentencing in such cases must be seen to be firm, especially for offending involving child exploitation material.
We urge the Minister of Police, the IPCA, Crown Law, and the Government to act on these concerns.
Sign this petition to demand full transparency and real accountability.
1,465
The issue
We, the undersigned, are concerned New Zealand citizens calling for transparency and stronger accountability in the case of former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Background:
- Jevon McSkimming, one of the most senior officers in New Zealand Police, resigned in May 2025.
- In December 2025 he pleaded guilty to possessing nearly 3,000 objectionable images on his police-issued work devices, including child sexual exploitation material (around one-third of the images, with ~280 involving real children) and bestiality material.
- He was sentenced to only 9 months home detention and was not placed on the Child Sex Offender Register.
- Despite public concern, the Solicitor-General reviewed the sentence in February 2026 and decided not to appeal, determining it was not “manifestly inadequate”.
- Critically, the material was found only on his work devices. There is no public record that Police ever searched his home or personal devices.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) reports (November 2025 and March 2026) highlighted serious failings in how senior Police handled earlier complaints against him, including poor investigations and a culture of minimising allegations.
Our Requests:
1. The IPCA and/or NZ Police publicly explain why McSkimming’s home and personal devices were never forensically searched, and take immediate steps to do so if legally possible.
2. The Government and Police ensure that the high rank and position of trust held by an offender (Deputy Commissioner) is given appropriate weight as an aggravating factor in sentencing, with a strong deterrent message.
3. Fast-track the establishment and resourcing of the new **Inspector-General of Police** with robust independent powers.
4. Greater transparency around decisions not to appeal lenient sentences in high-profile cases involving senior public officials.
Public trust in New Zealand Police has been damaged. When those at the very top appear to receive lighter treatment, it undermines confidence in the justice system and fails to deter others. Sentencing in such cases must be seen to be firm, especially for offending involving child exploitation material.
We urge the Minister of Police, the IPCA, Crown Law, and the Government to act on these concerns.
Sign this petition to demand full transparency and real accountability.
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Petition created on 6 June 2026