An Auckland-based police officer faces charges of possessing objectionable material including a "rape image", child sexual exploitation material and bestiality, RNZ can reveal.
The officer is one of three to be charged in relation to possessing objectionable publications.
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A rapid review of staff internet usage was sparked by the resignation of former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming, after child sexual exploitation and bestiality material were found on his work devices.
On Thursday, Deputy Commissioner Tim Anderson said police were moving to prosecute three staff members following separate investigations arising from the review.
Court documents seen by RNZ reveal one of the officers, a man in his 60s, faces 11 charges of possessing an objectionable publication. The charges date between May 2023 and May 2024.
One of the charges alleges the officer had a "rape image", two charges say "child exploitation material", three charges say "child sexual exploitation" and five charges allege the officer possessed "bestiality" material.
The other Auckland-based police officer, a man in his 50s, is facing nine charges of possessing an objectionable publication.
The charges allege the offending occurred between August 2023 and October 2025. The charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment and a fine of $50,000.
Both officers have interim name suppression.
Anderson said two Auckland-based constabulary staff will appear in the Manukau District Court over the coming days.
"Each of the officers are being charged with multiple counts of possessing an objectionable publication, under the Films, Videos, and Publications Classification Act."
A third police officer will be appearing at a court in the Wellington region at a later date.
"Prosecution of our own staff is a serious but important step to take as it recognises the significance of the alleged offending that has been identified.
"I would like to acknowledge the professionalism and commitment by our investigators in the National Integrity Unit for their work to this point."
Anderson said the investigations had involved the analysis of a "significant volume of web activity".
"It is important we now let these matters progress to the court process, which limits the level of information we can provide at this point.
"These three police staff remain stood down from duties. Meanwhile, three investigations remain ongoing as part of the rapid review."
Police have investigated 22 cases, 12 have been resolved through either disciplinary action or performance management.
Four people have resigned during this process, Anderson said.
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