In a report released today, the Independent Police Conduct Authority has found significant failings in the way in which senior Police responded to serious complaints made against Jevon McSkimming in 2023 and early 2024.

The complaints, formally referred to the IPCA on 10 October 2024, included allegations of sexual interaction without consent, threats to use an intimate visual recording, and misuse of a Police credit card and Police property to further a sexual relationship. Some of the complaints alleged criminal conduct, while others alleged behaviour constituting a potential breach of the Police Code of Conduct.

The allegations arose from a sexual relationship between the complainant and Mr McSkimming that developed in 2016. The complainant was 21 and Mr McSkimming was 42. Each party gives a markedly different account of the nature of the relationship.

Most of the complaints before October 2024 were made through various emails and other Internet communications to individuals, but they were also made by way of:

• a comment on a Police LinkedIn announcement that Mr McSkimming had been appointed a statutory Deputy Commissioner in April 2023; and
• three complaints through the Police 105 on-line reporting portal in April 2024.

The Police response to these complaints was characterised by inaction and an unquestioning acceptance of Mr McSkimming’s narrative of events.

While there was no evidence of collusion between officers in this respect, the IPCA has nevertheless found serious misconduct by a number of very senior officers and other senior Police employees during 2023 and early 2024 that has undermined the integrity of the organisation as a whole.

Those findings are made in respect of, among others, the then Commissioner, two Deputy Commissioners and an Assistant Commissioner. In particular:

• No effective action was taken to investigate the comment on the LinkedIn announcement.
• A report by the joint Police/Health Fixated Threat Assessment Centre in February 2024 identified the fact that potential criminal and Police Code of Conduct concerns relating to Mr McSkimming were being alleged in the emails and suggested referral to the Police National Integrity Unit and the IPCA with a view to possible investigation. However, the Deputy Commissioner and the Acting Assistant Commissioner (Investigations) to whom this recommendation was directed took no action. Instead, the only investigation that was launched focused on potential offences by the complainant under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, leading to her prosecution.
• The complaints to the Police 105 reporting line were not immediately acted on and not notified to the IPCA as is required by statute and by agreed processes between Police and the IPCA. There was an unacceptable delay in initiating an investigation, which effectively did not commence until July 2024. When the complaints were eventually referred for a preliminary investigation, the terms of reference were inappropriately worded and did not comply with Adult Sexual Assault Policy.
• When Police referred the matter to the IPCA in October 2024 then-Commissioner Coster attempted to influence the nature and extent of the investigation and the timeframe for its completion. Those attempts were perceived by some others within Police as designed to bring the investigation to a rapid and premature conclusion so as not to intersect with the Commissioner appointment process and jeopardise Mr McSkimming’s prospects of being appointed as the next Commissioner of Police, notwithstanding the seriousness of the allegations being made.
• In 2023, while a member of the interview panel for the statutory Deputy Commissioner appointment process, Commissioner Coster failed to disclose to the Public Service Commission his knowledge of Deputy McSkimming’s relationship which had subsequently led to the emails alleging misconduct. This failure clearly fell below what a reasonable person would have expected of a person in his position. Subsequently, Commissioner Coster’s disclosure to the Public Service Commission on 8 October 2024, during the interim Commissioner appointment process, also fell well short of what a reasonable person would have expected, given what he knew at the time.

The serious misconduct identified by the Authority in this report should not tarnish the reputation of those Police staff throughout the country who deal with difficult and risky situations every day with restraint, impartiality and fairness. It is also important to note that the report draws attention to a number of staff who acted with integrity and moral courage in their efforts to do the right thing in the face of considerable pressure from more senior colleagues.

Nevertheless, the findings in this report graphically demonstrate that the integrity system needs to be strengthened in order to ensure that it operates with transparency, fairness and independence when conduct issues arise at any level in Police. While Police have made significant advances towards a more positive culture since the Bazley inquiry in 2008, the settings in place to protect and enhance integrity are still not sufficiently robust to enable the public to have confidence that Police will do their job ‘without fear or favour.’ A sustained plan of action is required to effect further substantial change. There ought to be a focus on leadership, but supported by stronger organisational settings that sustain good practice and protect integrity, including even when leadership fails.

To that end, the IPCA has made a number of fundamental recommendations for change. These include:

• more specific recognition of who is responsible for the protection of integrity at senior management level;
• a revamp of Police internal policies and programmes to promote positive culture around integrity issues and ethical behaviour;
• changes to the Integrity and Conduct Unit within Police to enable it to play a stronger and more independent role and more effectively to act against poor behaviour when it arises;
• legislative and structural changes to enable more robust criminal and employment processes and outcomes in relation to alleged misconduct by Police officers;
• a strengthening of the IPCA’s oversight role; and
• enhanced Ministerial and Parliamentary oversight.

The report describes complaints and allegations made against Mr McSkimming. It does not make any findings as to the truth of these allegations.

We have assessed Police actions solely on the basis of what the officers concerned knew at the time. The outcome of any investigation into those complaints and allegations is irrelevant to the findings in this report, as are any other allegations relating to Deputy Commissioner McSkimming that have subsequently come to light.

The IPCA will not be making any further comment.

Postscript

Today’s report only concerns the first aspect of the Authority’s investigation: the question of whether Police responded appropriately to the allegations made by the complainant, before the formal investigation into these complaints was launched in November 2024. The Authority is still reviewing the adequacy of that investigation. The IPCA will be reporting on this as soon as practicable.

Public Report 

Review of Police handling of complaints against Jevon McSkimming (PDF 1.67 MB)