Police Commissioner Richard Chambers Pulled Over for Speeding at 112km/h

Police Commissioner Richard Chambers admits he was “away with the fairies” when he was pulled over for speeding last week, calling it the “dumbest thing” he has done in the role.

Chambers reveals the incident while speaking at a police graduation ceremony in Porirua on Thursday, telling new recruits he was caught driving over the limit and immediately owned up.

“It’s not something I’m proud of… I should know better,” he tells the audience. “You’ll make mistakes — own it, learn from it, be stronger for it and move on.”

Chambers was clocked at 111–112km/h in a 100km/h zone on State Highway 2 on November 6, returning from a patrol dog team graduation. He apologised to the officers at the roadside and later paid the $80 fine as soon as it arrived in his letterbox. He was driving an unmarked police vehicle but was in uniform.

The admission comes during a turbulent week for police leadership. A damning IPCA report released days earlier found serious misconduct among senior officers — including former Commissioner Andrew Coster — over how police handled sexual misconduct allegations against ex–Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.

Speaking to RNZ after the ceremony, Chambers says he feels “terrible” for putting fellow officers in that position but insists he never sought special treatment.
“I would never do that. I’m accountable.”

He urges new graduates of Wing 389 to focus on serving their communities despite recent headlines.
“We’re dealing with a small group of former, very senior police officers. That’s a disgrace. But the work you do for New Zealanders matters — keep going.”

Associate Police Minister Casey Costello attends the ceremony but declines media interviews.