FORMER DEPUTY POLICE COMMISSIONER JEVON McSKIMMING SENTENCED TO HOME DETENTION FOR CHILD EXPLOITATION MATERIAL POSSESSION
Jevon McSkimming, the former Deputy Police Commissioner of New Zealand, has been sentenced to nine months' home detention after being convicted of possessing child sexual exploitation material. The sentence was handed down at the Wellington District Court on December 17, allowing the disgraced senior police officer to avoid prison time entirely.
McSkimming pleaded guilty in November to three representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, specifically child sexual exploitation and bestiality material, with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe the material was objectionable. Judge Tim Black imposed the home detention sentence while also ruling that McSkimming would not be required to register on the child sex offending registry, determining his assessed risk to the community remained low.
The case represents a dramatic fall from one of the highest positions in New Zealand law enforcement. McSkimming was suspended on full pay in December following a separate investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct. In March, he was notified of a second criminal investigation relating to his use of work-issued devices.
Investigation into his work computer and digital devices revealed the disturbing nature of his online activity. McSkimming's Google searches included artificial intelligence-generated material depicting child exploitation, with specific search queries referencing inappropriate images involving minors. His search history also contained terms including references to slavery, abuse, and extreme content, painting a picture of deliberate and repeated attempts to locate objectionable material.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell announced McSkimming's resignation in May after 29 years with the police force. McSkimming's departure came amid the mounting criminal investigations and emerged public revelations about his misconduct. The resignation effectively concluded his career in law enforcement before formal dismissal proceedings could be initiated.
McSkimming's legal representation presented arguments regarding remorse, with his lawyer Letizea Ord telling the court that her client had expressed deep shame and profound remorse for his actions. However, the sentencing reflects the seriousness with which the judiciary regarded his conduct—despite avoiding prison incarceration, a significant custodial equivalent sentence was imposed through the home detention order.
The case has formed part of a broader scandal within the New Zealand Police regarding institutional handling of misconduct allegations at the highest levels. An Independent Police Conduct Authority investigation previously found serious misconduct by senior police leadership in their response to allegations of sexual offending by McSkimming, leading to the resignation of former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster as well.