Face of the Day

Two members of the police's senior leadership team, including former Deputy Police Commissioner Tania Kura, visited Jevon McSkimming while he faced charges of possessing child sexual exploitation and bestiality material.

McSkimming pleaded guilty earlier this month.

A report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority released last week found serious misconduct at the highest levels, including Kura, in relation to how police responded to separate allegations of sexual offending by McSkimming.

Speaking at a press conference in the Beehive after the report was released, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers alluded to a meeting he had with Kura when he became aware that she had visited McSkimming while he was facing the objectionable material charges.

“I explained quite clearly that it fell well short of my expectations,” he said.

McSkimming was arrested on 27 June.

In response to questions from RNZ, Chambers said he became aware Kura visited McSkimming in July.

“When I found out about that from concerned colleagues, I asked Tania Kura for an explanation and I expressed my disappointment in her,” Chambers said.

“To me it showed a total lack of judgement and very bad decision making. It was inappropriate for an executive member and a statutory deputy commissioner.”

Asked what Kura’s response was, Chambers said “she seemed surprised that I saw it as a problem”.

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