Police are pressing ahead with their prosecution of a woman who previously accused former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming of sexual offending as scrutiny intensifies over how her complaints were handled.
The decision follows a scathing Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) report last month that found serious failings by senior police leaders, including former Commissioner Andrew Coster, in their response to her allegations. While an earlier charge relating to hundreds of emails sent to McSkimming was dropped in September after he declined to give evidence, the woman still faces two charges of causing harm by posting digital communications about another officer and his wife.
Her lawyer Stephen Lack told the Wellington District Court on Friday that he has asked both police and the Crown to reconsider whether continuing the prosecution serves the public interest.
State-funded media reported that Lack has also filed an application to have the charges dismissed, arguing the process has been compromised by inadequate investigations into both her allegations and her conduct — issues the IPCA has already criticised. Judge John Walker extended suppression orders and scheduled the matter to return on 22 December to arrange a date for the dismissal hearing.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said it would be inappropriate to comment on the merits of an active case but maintained that proper process had been followed. Lack, however, argues his client was repeatedly ignored when reporting serious allegations against one of the country’s most senior police officers and was instead prosecuted for speaking out.
Our Govt is completely loopy and corrupt. First pigs now this poor lady.
They’re definitely not a Govt for the people!
ZERO trust in politicians, cops, lawyers and so called judges, at this point. I feel deeply sorry for this woman. Any notion of justice in NZ, has become something of a farce.
Agree 100%. You’ve only got to look at how they are maliciously pursuing Barry Young. They’ll do anything to keep the truth hidden.
However, Barry has an ace up his sleeve that they won’t be counting on. I saw him interviewed this morning before he went into the crooked court and on his lapel was a simple little badge which said – 8:32.
So I looked up John 8:32 “and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Yahuah is in his camp. He’ll win no matter which way our (in)justice system decides.
What happened to all the talk and resounding discussion about how this woman and her claims had been handled so inappropriately and her having been treated so atrociously and unfairly?
Which suddenly seems to have dissipated and vaporized into nothingness – at least in the eyes of a few
Contrary to public opinion
Which raises a few perplexing questions
I hope that Loiuse Nichols has contacted the woman in question with support and legal advice…
Never never ever ever trust a pig who lasts over 3 months in the job. Never ever…
It seems by doubling down on the prosecution of this woman the police may lose whatever is left of public support. She may have broken a few laws…but imagine if hadn’t
If police do continue- and win…it would be a phyrric victory
It is not just about the police not being prosecuted for their own crimes. It is in their daily work. Significantly rewriting statements and hiding the originals almost put me in prison. It was only a few slipups and a series of events that saved me. Too worn out, depleted of money to seek justice, I left it alone. If the police complaints authority didn’t exist, perhaps i could do something about it. But as it stands the PCA and it’s single judge isn’t delivering equal justice.