A New Zealand court on Wednesday sentenced former police chief Jevon McSkimming to nine months of house arrest. He pleaded guilty to possession of child sexual abuse material and zoophilia.
The former officer, who until a year ago was the number two in the New Zealand police force, was arrested and charged in June with eight counts of possession of objectionable material.
The 52-year-old admitted three charges in November, including possession of sexual exploitation of children and possession of zoophilic material stored on his work devices.
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Judge Tim Black imposed a sentence of nine months’ home detention in Wellington. He also ruled that McSkimming should not register as a sex offender.
The judge started with a three-year prison sentence, but granted reductions based on the fact that McSkimming had pleaded guilty, shown remorse and attempted rehabilitation. He further indicated that the defendant poses a low risk to the community.
McSkimming’s lawyer, Letizea Ord, said her client was deeply ashamed of his actions.
McSkimming was suspended from his position on full pay in December 2024, when an investigation into his conduct was opened. He remained on leave for six months until resigning from his post in May.
In November, New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers called the case “disgraceful”: “The outcome demonstrates that all police officers, regardless of rank, must abide by the laws that govern us all,” Chambers said.
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