Child Sexual Exploitation, Bestiality Material Allegedly Found on Top Cop’s Work Device

In a shocking revelation that has sent ripples through New Zealand’s law enforcement community, former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, once the country’s second most powerful police officer, has faced allegations so serious that they led to his resignation. Now, for the first time, the public has been made aware of the nature of the "objectionable material" allegedly found on McSkimming’s work devices.

According to Stuff, the material in question includes images depicting child sexual exploitation and bestiality. These allegations, which were initially suppressed by a court order, were finally made public after a legal battle that saw McSkimming’s application for an injunction dismissed by Justice Karen Grau on July 11. McSkimming, who had five working days to appeal the decision, chose not to do so, allowing the media to report the details.

The allegations came to light following McSkimming’s resignation in May, which was described by Police Minister Mark Mitchell as a result of "allegations of a very serious nature." The resignation followed his suspension in April, which was linked to a criminal investigation into his conduct towards a former female non-sworn police staffer many years his junior.

McSkimming’s lawyer, Linda Clark, had initially obtained an emergency injunction to prevent the media from publishing details of the alleged material. The injunction, known as a "super injunction," was granted on an interim basis and prevented the media from even reporting the existence of the order. However, the injunction was later lifted in part, allowing the existence of the order to be reported, though not the details of the material itself.

The legal battle over the injunction was fought by Stuff, RNZ, and NZME, represented jointly by Robert Stewart KC. Ultimately, Justice Grau dismissed McSkimming’s application, paving the way for the media to report the nature of the alleged material.

McSkimming’s resignation has also triggered a broader review of internal police procedures, particularly in light of the allegations and the legal challenges that followed. Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has expressed a commitment to ensuring that such issues are addressed transparently and with the utmost accountability.

McSkimming, who has spent much of his career in New Zealand’s police force, began his career in Auckland and later worked in Invercargill, Gore, and Murchison. His resignation marks a significant moment for the New Zealand Police and raises important questions about the integrity of high-ranking officials within the force.

As the public grapples with the implications of these allegations, the focus now shifts to the legal consequences for McSkimming and the potential reforms within the police force to prevent such situations from occurring in the future.