ISSUE
Friday, November 7, 2025
Volume 16 . Issue 84
After a challenging week for New Zealand Police, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has openly admitted to being pulled over for speeding, calling it the “dumbest thing” he has done as commissioner. Reported by Bill Hickman From RNZ.
Speaking at a police graduation ceremony in Porirua on Thursday, Chambers told new recruits he had been caught driving over the limit last week. “It’s not something I’m proud of. I wish I hadn’t done it,” he said. “Oblivious, away with the fairies — none of that’s an excuse. I should know better.”
Chambers said he was clocked at 112 km/h (later corrected by police to 111 km/h) in a 100 km/h zone on State Highway 2, Western Hutt Road, while returning from a police dog team graduation on November 6. He was in uniform and driving an unmarked police vehicle.
“I feel terrible about the situation I put my colleagues in. I apologised on the side of the road — not my finest work, and I’m sorry,” Chambers told RNZ. He confirmed he paid the $80 fine immediately upon receiving it. “I would never try to get out of it. I’m accountable — I’ve said that since the day I became Commissioner of Police.”
The admission came amid a difficult period for the force, following a damning report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), which found serious misconduct by senior officers — including former Commissioner Andrew Coster — over their handling of sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Addressing the recruits of Wing 389, Chambers encouraged them to take responsibility for their mistakes. “You’ll make errors — own them, learn from them, be stronger for it, and move on,” he said.
Chambers also addressed the scandal surrounding McSkimming, calling it “a disgrace” that showed a lack of leadership and integrity. He urged the new officers not to be discouraged. “Don’t let these things distract you from the work New Zealanders expect — serving communities with honesty and professionalism.”
The Commissioner further revealed that he had personally reached out to apologise to the whistleblower who was prosecuted after raising concerns about McSkimming’s conduct.
“I’ve expressed my apologies on behalf of New Zealand Police for the fact that she was not taken seriously when she came forward,” Chambers said. “I would like to meet her face-to-face when it’s appropriate.”
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello, who attended the graduation, declined to speak to the media.
After a challenging week for New Zealand Police, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has openly admitted to being pulled over for speeding, calling it the “dumbest thing” he has done as commissioner. Reported by Bill Hickman From RNZ.
Speaking at a police graduation ceremony in Porirua on...
After a challenging week for New Zealand Police, Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has openly admitted to being pulled over for speeding, calling it the “dumbest thing” he has done as commissioner. Reported by Bill Hickman From RNZ.
Speaking at a police graduation ceremony in Porirua on Thursday, Chambers told new recruits he had been caught driving over the limit last week. “It’s not something I’m proud of. I wish I hadn’t done it,” he said. “Oblivious, away with the fairies — none of that’s an excuse. I should know better.”
Chambers said he was clocked at 112 km/h (later corrected by police to 111 km/h) in a 100 km/h zone on State Highway 2, Western Hutt Road, while returning from a police dog team graduation on November 6. He was in uniform and driving an unmarked police vehicle.
“I feel terrible about the situation I put my colleagues in. I apologised on the side of the road — not my finest work, and I’m sorry,” Chambers told RNZ. He confirmed he paid the $80 fine immediately upon receiving it. “I would never try to get out of it. I’m accountable — I’ve said that since the day I became Commissioner of Police.”
The admission came amid a difficult period for the force, following a damning report by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA), which found serious misconduct by senior officers — including former Commissioner Andrew Coster — over their handling of sexual misconduct allegations against former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Addressing the recruits of Wing 389, Chambers encouraged them to take responsibility for their mistakes. “You’ll make errors — own them, learn from them, be stronger for it, and move on,” he said.
Chambers also addressed the scandal surrounding McSkimming, calling it “a disgrace” that showed a lack of leadership and integrity. He urged the new officers not to be discouraged. “Don’t let these things distract you from the work New Zealanders expect — serving communities with honesty and professionalism.”
The Commissioner further revealed that he had personally reached out to apologise to the whistleblower who was prosecuted after raising concerns about McSkimming’s conduct.
“I’ve expressed my apologies on behalf of New Zealand Police for the fact that she was not taken seriously when she came forward,” Chambers said. “I would like to meet her face-to-face when it’s appropriate.”
Associate Police Minister Casey Costello, who attended the graduation, declined to speak to the media.
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