Public Service Commission backs Police Commissioner Richard Chambers staying amid conduct probe
The Public Service Commission is refusing to say why it’s backing Police Commissioner Richard Chambers to remain in his role amid investigations into complaints about his conduct from two different female complainants.
The Herald revealed on Thursday that detectives from the National Integrity Unit (NIU) flew to Australia to interview a complainant who has made historical sexual allegations against Chambers.
In a statement, Chambers said he “strongly rejects” the claims and looks forward to having the matter dealt with.
In a message to staff, Chambers said he’d been advised “it’s not necessary for me to take leave at this point”.
The Herald asked the Public Service Commission – the agency responsible for oversight of public agency bosses – on what basis it decided against standing Chambers down.
A spokesman told the Herald it wasn’t necessary at the moment, without providing detailed reasons.
“Based on the information available, the commissioner [Brian Roche] does not consider Mr Chambers needs to step down at this time,” the spokesman said.
The spokesman refused to say what assessments were made to reach the decision.
“We have nothing to add to the statement by Police. The matter is under investigation by the appropriate authorities.”
The PSC published a performance review of police in April which said rebuilding integrity was a “mission-critical” challenge for police.
That report – ordered by Chambers after the Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming controversy – found an “integrity reset is urgently needed” with a perceived culture that holds seniors to a “lesser standard than juniors”, and that there are issues with “tribalism”, particularly at the executive level.
Police Minister Mark Mitchell said on Thursday that he still had confidence in Chambers.
“I think he’s an outstanding Police Commissioner, he’s doing a very good job for us. Police officers attract complaints. We have the IPCA – that is the right place for that to go and they’ll deal with it.”
An Official Information Act request provided to the Herald by Mitchell’s office said Mitchell received one complaint about Chambers on November 21 last year, and a second separate complaint on February 1 this year.
Both were referred to the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) and the NIU.
The complainant, who is being interviewed by police in Australia, has made claims relating to when she and Chambers were in a relationship more than 20 years ago and lived together in Red Beach, north of Auckland.
RNZ reported another complainant is believed to be a former police staffer. It’s understood they emailed the Minister of Police in November last year making allegations about Chambers’ conduct towards women.
Chambers said in a statement that he strongly rejected the claims against him.
“I have been advised the IPCA and police are investigating complaints against me. I strongly reject the claims that have been made.
“I will co-operate 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 several questions put to him by the Herald.
NIU detectives visited the woman’s home and interviewed her on June 4 and June 5, and returned to Australia on Thursday to continue interviewing the woman.
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.
In a statement, the IPCA confirmed staff had received complaints about Chambers.
“We are actively overseeing the police component of the investigation; this includes ensuring the integrity of the investigation is maintained,” a spokesman said.
“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.”
Chambers has been Police Commissioner since November 2024 and has spoken on multiple occasions about the importance of accountability and integrity at police.
After the IPCA’s critical report on the way police handled complaints against 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 that 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.
Michael Morrah is a senior investigative reporter/team leader at the Herald. He won News Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Voyager Media Awards and has twice been named reporter of the year at the NZ Television Awards. He has been a broadcast journalist for 20 years and joined the Herald’s video team in July 2024.