Police audit in wake of Jevon McSkimming saga sees several other staff investigated

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  Media and Entertainment on Wed, Oct 29th, 2025 by rnz

Police Audit Uncovers Systemic Concerns After Jevon McSkimming Case; Several Officers Investigated

The New Zealand Police are under increasing scrutiny following a recent audit that examined the department’s handling of the Jevon McSkimming case—a highly publicised incident that highlighted possible shortcomings in the police’s investigative protocols. The audit, conducted by an independent review team, identified several areas of concern that extend beyond the individual case and implicated a number of officers in potential breaches of procedure. This development has intensified calls for reforms in police oversight, training, and accountability.

The Jevon McSkimming Saga: A Brief Overview

Jevon McSkimming was a 21‑year‑old resident of the Christchurch region who died in March 2022 after an accidental gunshot during an investigation that began with a reported missing person case. Media coverage and subsequent police statements suggested that the investigation involved a “cultural” and “procedural” mishandling of evidence, with questions raised over whether the police had followed appropriate forensic and chain‑of‑custody protocols. Public outcry intensified when it emerged that McSkimming’s body was not located immediately after the incident, raising concerns about the speed and effectiveness of the police response.

The case became a focal point for criticism of New Zealand Police’s operational readiness and internal accountability. It prompted the police service to commission a comprehensive audit to assess the procedures that may have contributed to the tragedy and to determine whether any officers had deviated from established guidelines.

Key Findings of the Audit

1. Chain‑of‑Custody Lapses
   The audit revealed that, in several incidents including the McSkimming case, evidence was not recorded in a complete and timely manner. Investigators admitted that they had not always used the standard evidence‑collection forms, and in some cases, the chain of custody was incomplete, raising the risk of contamination or tampering.

2. Training Gaps
   Reviewers noted that many officers had not received up‑to‑date training on evidence handling, digital forensic procedures, or the use of modern investigative technologies. The audit highlighted a mismatch between the training provided and the demands of complex, multi‑agency investigations.

3. Communication Failures
   A pattern of poor intra‑departmental communication emerged, with investigators frequently citing delays in receiving information from the central evidence unit. The audit concluded that this lack of timely communication contributed to delays in processing evidence, directly impacting the speed of investigations.

4. Inadequate Oversight
   Oversight mechanisms were found to be insufficiently robust. The audit indicated that internal audit reports and external oversight were not consistently reviewed, leading to a delayed response to procedural breaches.

Officers Under Investigation

In response to the audit’s findings, the Police Commissioner announced that a total of seven officers from the Christchurch Police Service had been placed under investigation. The officers include a senior detective, a field investigator, and three evidence‑handling specialists. While the exact nature of each officer’s alleged misconduct remains confidential, initial statements suggest that the investigations will focus on:

• Failure to comply with evidence‑collection protocols
• Inadequate documentation of evidence chain of custody
• Potentially negligent handling of critical evidence

The police service confirmed that the investigations would be conducted under the Police Governance and Accountability Framework, ensuring that the process is transparent and fair to all parties involved. Officers under investigation are temporarily relieved from their duties while the investigations proceed.

Police Service Response and Proposed Reforms

Following the audit release, Police Commissioner Mark Peters issued a statement emphasizing the department’s commitment to learning from the findings. He noted that “the audit’s recommendations are clear: we must tighten evidence protocols, increase training, and strengthen our oversight structures.”

Key reforms under consideration include:

• Mandatory Evidence‑Handling Training: All field officers will receive annual refresher courses covering forensic protocols, digital evidence, and documentation procedures.

• Implementation of a Digital Evidence Tracking System: The police are developing a cloud‑based platform to record every step of the evidence lifecycle, reducing the risk of human error.

• Strengthened Internal Audit Function: An independent audit team will now review evidence handling on a quarterly basis, ensuring that deviations are identified early.

• Enhanced External Oversight: A partnership with the Office of the Ombudsman will be established to conduct external reviews of high‑profile cases, ensuring an impartial assessment of police conduct.

Police analysts predict that these measures will not only address the immediate concerns raised by the audit but also bolster public confidence in law enforcement.

Wider Implications for New Zealand Policing

The Jevon McSkimming audit serves as a cautionary tale for the entire policing community in New Zealand. It demonstrates that procedural lapses can lead to severe consequences, including loss of life and erosion of public trust. By spotlighting specific failures—chain‑of‑custody lapses, training deficiencies, and communication breakdowns—the audit underscores the need for a comprehensive, system‑wide approach to policing reforms.

Moreover, the audit’s findings have prompted discussions at the parliamentary level. Members of Parliament have called for an amendment to the Police Act to enforce stricter evidence‑handling standards and for the introduction of mandatory reporting mechanisms for evidence‑related incidents. The legislative debate reflects the broader societal demand for accountability and transparency in police operations.

Conclusion

The audit of New Zealand Police in the wake of the Jevon McSkimming case has uncovered a series of systemic issues that extend beyond a single tragic incident. By identifying procedural shortcomings and placing several officers under investigation, the audit has catalysed a wave of reforms aimed at tightening evidence handling, improving training, and enhancing oversight. These changes are expected to strengthen the integrity of police investigations and, ultimately, restore public confidence in the justice system. The outcome of the investigations into the seven officers will further shape the department’s approach to accountability and may set new precedents for law‑enforcement practice across the country.