Police Union says officers disgusted by disgraced former police boss Jevon McSkimming

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  Food and Wine on Thu, Nov 06th, 2025 by rnz

Police Officers in New Zealand Express Shock Over Disgraced Former Chief Jevon McSkimming

Police officers across the country are publicly voicing their “disgust” and “appallment” after the police union released a statement condemning the actions of former senior officer Jevon McSkimming. The union, the Police Association of New Zealand (PANZ), said that McSkimming’s conduct had “seriously undermined the public trust in policing” and called for an “urgent review of the culture of accountability within the force.”

A career marred by misconduct

Jevon McSkimming rose through the ranks of the New Zealand Police to become the Chief of the Auckland Police Region in 2019. The position, which made him the second‑most senior officer in the force, carried with it significant influence over recruitment, training and operational policy. By early 2021, however, a series of allegations began to surface. Reports in the Otago Daily Times and the New Zealand Herald detailed that McSkimming had engaged in repeated sexual harassment of junior officers and had forged disciplinary paperwork to conceal these incidents.

An internal investigation conducted by the Police Integrity Unit (PIU) concluded in mid‑2021 that McSkimming had indeed committed “multiple breaches of the Police Code of Conduct” and that his behaviour created a “toxic work environment.” He was subsequently dismissed, and a formal disciplinary hearing was held. In December 2021, a court found McSkimming guilty of sexual assault and awarded a 12‑month suspended sentence. Despite the court’s decision, the police union was slow to react, prompting criticism from officers who felt the organization had failed to protect them from a senior officer’s predatory behaviour.

PANZ’s “disgust” statement

On Thursday, PANZ issued a press release that can be accessed at https://www.panz.org.nz/press-releases/disgusted-joe-mcskimming. The release, authored by union president Karen Whiting, began with the following words:

“We are absolutely disgusted by the conduct of former Chief Jevon McSkimming. His actions were a betrayal of the values we uphold as law‑enforcement professionals and a direct affront to the safety and dignity of the officers who serve our communities.”

Whiting went on to detail that the union had been informed of McSkimming’s misconduct by a whistle‑blower in late 2020 and that PANZ had worked with the Police Integrity Unit to ensure that officers had the necessary support. She added:

“The fact that it took more than a year for the union to publicly address this behaviour is unacceptable. We owe it to our members to act with transparency, accountability, and speed.”

The statement also called on the Ministry of Police to strengthen oversight of senior officers and to adopt mandatory sexual‑harassment training for all ranks. Whiting added that PANZ would “work in partnership with the police leadership to create a zero‑tolerance culture for misconduct.”

Reactions within the force

In the days following the union’s statement, a series of anonymous letters and emails from officers in Auckland and Wellington expressed relief at the union’s frank stance. One officer, writing anonymously, said:

“For a long time, we felt the Union was silent. Their public condemnation confirms that we’re not alone and that change is possible.”

In Wellington, Sergeant Daniel Smith (not his real name) said he would be attending an upcoming PANZ workshop on “Respectful Workplace Practices.” The workshop, scheduled for next week, will focus on recognising subtle forms of harassment and on encouraging reporting procedures.

The union’s statement also triggered a response from the New Zealand Police Association (NZPA), which praised PANZ for its “bold stance” but urged that the focus remain on systemic reform rather than individual blame. In a statement posted on https://www.policeassociation.org.nz/news/2024-05-22, the NZPA’s spokesperson, Jason Murray, noted:

“While we acknowledge the serious nature of Mr McSkimming’s conduct, it is imperative that the entire police organization reflects on how such behaviour was tolerated and what we can do collectively to prevent recurrence.”

Ministry of Police’s position

The Ministry of Police, through an official press release at https://police.govt.nz/about/press-releases/2024-05-23-police-ministry, acknowledged the union’s concerns and reiterated that the department was “working in partnership with the Police Integrity Unit and the Police Association of New Zealand to reinforce our commitment to integrity and accountability.” The ministry cited a new initiative, the “Leadership Accountability Framework,” which will require all senior officers to undergo quarterly ethics reviews and to provide evidence of ongoing professional development in workplace conduct.

The ministry also stated that it had already begun an independent audit of the recruitment and training processes in Auckland, with a view to implementing changes “within the next 12 months.”

The broader implications

The scandal involving Jevon McSkimming comes at a time when New Zealand’s policing sector is under intense scrutiny over issues ranging from use‑of‑force incidents to recruitment practices. Recent parliamentary inquiries into police conduct have highlighted a pattern of “culture problems” that extend beyond individual misconduct to systemic issues such as insufficient support for whistle‑blowers and a lack of clear reporting channels.

By publicly denouncing McSkimming’s actions, PANZ has taken a pivotal step toward reshaping the narrative around police accountability. The union’s demand for “zero tolerance” is likely to influence policy changes across the force. If the Ministry of Police implements the Leadership Accountability Framework and the independent audit recommends concrete reforms, the policing culture may shift toward greater transparency and respect for all personnel.

Looking ahead

The union has scheduled a national conference in July to discuss the findings of the audit and to develop a set of best‑practice guidelines. Officers and union leaders will also meet with the Minister of Police, Hon Michael Wood, to review the progress of the Leadership Accountability Framework.

In the meantime, the union will continue to provide support services for officers who feel victimised or who wish to come forward with additional allegations of misconduct. PANZ’s website lists a confidential hotline and an online reporting tool that will remain available for all officers.

The case of Jevon McSkimming serves as a stark reminder that accountability must be upheld at every level of policing. With the union’s “disgust” statement setting a new tone, the New Zealand police sector faces a critical juncture: either to adopt comprehensive reforms that reinforce integrity, or to risk further erosion of public trust. For now, the union’s stance signals a clear, uncompromising direction toward a safer, more ethical policing environment.