Officers interview woman making historic sexual allegations against Police Commissioner

Two police officers from the Police National Integrity Unit have flown to Australia to interview a woman over historic sexual allegations against Police Commissioner Richard Chambers.

The officers, both detectives with expertise in investigating sexual complaints, visited the woman’s home on June 4 and June 5 where interviews were carried out.

The detectives then returned to Australia today to continue interviewing the complainant.

Chambers said in a statement to media that he strongly rejected the claims against him.

“I have been advised the IPCA [Independent Police Conduct Authority] and Police are investigating complaints against me. I strongly reject the claims that have been made. I will cooperate fully with the investigation and look forward to having this matter dealt with. I acknowledge the public interest in this, but it is important the investigation takes its course. I cannot make further comment at this point,” Chambers said on Thursday afternoon.

He has yet to directly answer a number of questions put to him by the Herald.

Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was aware complaints had been received about Chambers.

“They are now being investigated by Police and the IPCA. I have no further comment at this time,” Mitchell said.

Chambers, in an internal email to police staff today, said: “It is important to let that investigation take its course without any interference. That is what anyone would [expect] including myself. I am advised it’s not necessary for me to take leave at this point.”

The female complainant is a former partner of Chambers; her claims are historic and they relate to when the pair were living together in Red Beach north of Auckland.

The pair were in a relationship for several years more than 20 years ago.

The complainant contacted the IPCA in December, and a manager there referred the allegations to investigative staff at the NIU.

While the IPCA has power to investigate complaints alleging misconduct by police, it doesn’t have the power to prosecute or lay criminal charges. It therefore refers criminal allegations to the police, so investigations can be carried out by frontline staff.

Although the NIU is investigating the woman’s complaint, protocol means the IPCA will continue to actively oversee the investigation to ensure it is conducted thoroughly and without bias.

A spokesperson for the IPCA confirmed staff had received complaints about Chambers.

“These are being investigated by the IPCA and Police,” the spokesperson said.

“We are actively overseeing the Police component of the investigation; this includes ensuring the integrity of the investigation is maintained.

“We recognise that there is a high level of public interest in complaints which involve senior police officers. It is important that these complaints are appropriately assessed and follow normal complaint processes.

“In accordance with the principles of fair process and natural justice for the parties involved, we will not be making any comment about the substance of these complaints until the investigations are concluded,” the IPCA spokesperson said.

Chambers has been Police Commissioner since November 2024 and has spoken on multiple occasions about the importance of accountability and integrity at police.

In the aftermath of the IPCA’s critical report over the way police handled complaints against former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming, he launched a scathing attack on his predecessors, including former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster.

“It’s an absolute disgrace. It’s lacking in leadership, it’s lacking integrity. You know, so he’s [Coster] going to need to answer to that,” Chambers said in November while responding to the IPCA’s findings.

Chambers said the way some previous police leaders acted amounted to a “cover-up”.

He subsequently faced criticism from former Deputy Commissioner Tania Kura, who told the Herald Chambers “white knighted himself” and acted “holier than thou” while throwing her and other former leaders under the bus.

In response to Kura’s criticism, and questions about his leadership style, Chambers told the Herald that “accountability both from myself and other senior leaders” was central to the way he was leading the organisation.

After the IPCA’s critical report, Chambers bolstered the investigative power of the NIU by adding six new specialist staff to its ranks.

He also asked the Public Service Commission to carry out a performance review of police with a focus on integrity and conduct. Its findings, released in April, said rebuilding integrity was a “mission critical” challenge for police.

Following the Jevon McSkimming controversy – during which the former deputy commissioner was found to have objectionable material, the NIU launched an internal review of police information security controls – which led to three more police staff being charged with possessing objectionable publications. Those cases are currently before the courts.

Hundreds of police staff have been investigated by the NIU since it was established in 2020.