IPCA's report on senior leadership conduct preceded the complaints against Chambers
Police commissioner Richard Chambers is under investigation following two complaints of a sexual nature, police minister Mark Mitchell confirmed.
Mitchell said the complaints were lodged on 21 November, 2025, and 1 February 2026. Both were referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority and the police National Integrity Unit, he said in an Official Information Act response.
Two National Integrity Unit investigators travelled to Australia this month to interview a woman linked to one complaint, Stuff reported. NZME reported the woman had a relationship with Chambers more than two decades ago.
In a note to staff, Chambers said: "I strongly reject the claims that have been made." He said he had been advised that taking leave was not necessary at this point, and that he would cooperate fully with the investigation.
Asked when the investigation began and why it remained open in June, police said they had nothing further to add, RNZ reported. Chambers told RNZ he had separately raised concerns about staff taking too long to investigate complaints.
Separately, 1News reported in April that an internal complaint against Chambers was upheld in 2012 over an unrelated procedural breach.
The investigation follows a November 2025 IPCA report into how senior police handled sexual misconduct complaints against former deputy commissioner Jevon McSkimming. The IPCA found that...
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