Source: Peace Action
Wednesday 10 December 2025 – Feminists and peace activists will rally against the disgraceful coverup of allegations against former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming, and against the sexist, racist and secretive culture of power within the police force.
The Wellington Rally will be on Wednesday 17 December from 8:30am outside the Wellington District Court where McSkimming will be sentenced that day.
The Christchurch Rally will be on Wednesday 17 December from 5:30pm at the Central Police Station.
“As more information on the corruption inside the police force comes to light, calls are growing for a full, independent inquiry. That is a demand that we fully support, and it should include all relevant parties,” said Laura Drew, spokesperson for Peace Action.
“But this does not go nearly far enough. We believe that the resignation of the Police Minister Mark Mitchell at this stage is fully justified. Mitchell is already revising his story on when he knew about the allegations. Emails from the complainant went to his electorate office, so irrespective of any convention in his Parliamentary office, he would have had some knowledge of the allegations being made. He either chose to be willfully ignorant of the situation or chose not to act, either way, it is a completely unacceptable approach by a Minister.”
“This scandal has revealed serious corruption right to the core of the police, and a culture that protects powerful predators. Twenty years on from the rape cases against top cops Clint Rickards, Brad Shipton and Bob Schollum, it seems that the rot inside NZ Police remains. It is frightening to think that these are the people tasked with protecting society.”
“There is a strong feeling that ordinary people cannot get justice from the Police or IPCA.”
“This is why changes to the Independent Police Conduct Authority to give it actual power to investigate and prosecute police corruption and brutality is essential. This includes: making it an independent Office of Parliament, giving it the power to prosecute officers, making it subject to Official Information Act requests, doubling its budget and staffing numbers, and making investigation of all complaints mandatory.”
We invite other concerned members of the public to join us.
