Disgraced Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming to Keep Lucrative Pension Despite Conviction
Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming will retain his six-figure government-backed police pension, despite being convicted of possessing child exploitation and bestiality material and resigning in disgrace earlier this year.
The 52-year-old, who joined the force in 1996 and served for nearly three decades, was earning about $500,000 a year before being suspended in November 2024 and eventually resigning in May 2025. Between suspension and resignation, he continued receiving roughly $250,000 in pay.
A Career That Collapsed in Scandal
McSkimming’s once rapid rise through the police hierarchy ended in scandal after he pleaded guilty in early November to three charges of possessing objectionable material. His fall has sparked widespread condemnation, including calls from Police Commissioner Richard Chambers and Police Minister Mark Mitchell to strip him of his service medals.
A report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) also revealed that senior police leaders had ignored anonymous allegations that McSkimming was a sexual predator, instead prosecuting the woman who made the claims.
A Million-Dollar Payout Likely
Despite his conviction, McSkimming remains eligible for his Police Super Scheme (PSS) — a pension plan in which the New Zealand Police contributes 15.2% of an officer’s salary annually.
Given his salary and long tenure, the total value of his pension is expected to exceed $1 million by the time he becomes eligible to access it at age 55.
As Deputy Commissioner, NZ Police contributed about $150,000 per year to his fund.
As Assistant Commissioner (2017–2020), his salary was around $300,000 annually.
Officers can also make personal contributions of up to 7.5% of their salary.
A police spokesperson declined to comment on individual employment matters but confirmed McSkimming remains entitled to the pension under current scheme rules.
Calls to Revoke Honours
Both Commissioner Chambers and Minister Mitchell have formally begun the process to rescind McSkimming’s medals and clasps.
“He has disgraced the blue uniform,” Mitchell said. “No one is above the law.”
Former police negotiator Lance Burdett, who once worked alongside McSkimming, said the decision was the right one for police integrity.
“They have to do that for integrity’s sake,” Burdett said. “But he will still walk away with what he’s put into the PSS — and based on his salary, that’s one of the top pensions.”
Reactions from Advocates
Survivor advocate Louise Nicholas, who helped bring major reform to police handling of sexual assault cases in the 2000s, praised Chambers for his response.
“It shows you will be held to account — no matter who you are,” she said. “You will always have bad eggs in police, but at least they’re not shoving it under the carpet like they used to.”
Nicholas acknowledged McSkimming’s pension entitlement but said it was a painful reminder of how misconduct at senior levels still affects victims and public trust.
McSkimming is set to be sentenced in mid-September.