Latest news with #FirearmsRegistry
NZ Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- NZ Herald
Jevon McSkimming ‘strongly denies' acting inappropriately in firearms licences vetting process
A statement from the office of Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said police were 'aware of the allegation to which you refer'. 'It is being looked into as part of a wider investigation into concerns that have been raised. That is still under way. 'The police commissioner was first made aware of those concerns in March and directed the investigation occur. This is a separate issue to the criminal investigation into Jevon McSkimming.' In response to questions from RNZ, McSkimming released a statement through his lawyer. 'Mr McSkimming strongly denies any allegation he acted in any way inappropriately in relation to the vetting process for firearms licences. 'As the overall operational lead on firearms, at one time Mr McSkimming raised issues about how the vetting process was being applied. He took those concerns to the executive leadership team and, following discussion at the ELT, the process was subsequently modified.' In response to questions from RNZ, Mitchell said in a statement he was aware 'some concerns have been brought forward'. He said the police commissioner was 'looking into the matter'. There were no timeframes for the various investigations at this time. The firearms regulator was established after the Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019. According to its website, it has three main functions, including implementing the firearms licensing system, managing the Firearms Registry and educating people to enable compliance and promote the safe use of firearms. RNZ revealed last week pornography found on McSkimming's work computer is being investigated as alleged objectionable material. He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer. Last Friday evening, his lawyer Linda Clark was granted a rare 'superinjunction' by Justice Karen Grau that prohibited reporting that disclosed the nature of the allegedly objectionable material, as well as the existence of the injunction itself, until 2.15pm on Monday. On Monday, Justice Cheryl Gwyn held a teleconference from the High Court at Wellington to discuss the injunction with Clark, the police, and legal counsel for RNZ, Stuff and NZME. After that conference, the order prohibiting publication of the nature of the allegedly objectionable material was continued – but the order prohibiting the existence of the injunction was not continued, meaning RNZ can now report the fact of McSkimming's application and the interim result. Chambers said in a statement last week that he appreciated the resignation of McSkimming raised questions, but said the criminal investigation couldn't be 'compromised by commenting on the circumstances of it at this point'. 'However, I can say that I have always made it very clear that trust and confidence in police is a top priority for me as commissioner,' Chambers said. 'I take very seriously anything that puts trust and confidence and the reputation of police at risk and will act to address it. 'I have high expectations of all police staff and will address it if those standards are not met, irrespective of rank or role.' In announcing McSkimming's resignation last week, Mitchell said McSkimming resigned before he could be dismissed. 'I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended.' He did not say what the allegations were. Mitchell said the Policing Act was 'very clear'. 'A deputy commissioner of police must be a 'fit and proper' person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming's fitness for office. 'When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign. Mr McSkimming's resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable.' Police advised Mitchell that their investigations into McSkimming would continue, notwithstanding his resignation.
Otago Daily Times
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Former deputy police boss denies firearms vetting claims
By Sam Sherwood of RNZ Former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming says he "strongly denies" any allegations he acted inappropriately in relation to the vetting process for firearms licences. McSkimming resigned as the country's second-most powerful cop last Monday amid a four-month investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and police. His resignation came after Police Minister Mark Mitchell said he was recently informed of allegations of a "very serious nature", separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended. On Thursday, RNZ asked police for comment on allegations that McSkimming had interfered with the vetting process for firearms licences. A statement from the office of Police Commissioner Richard Chambers said police were "aware of the allegation to which you refer". "It is being looked into as part of a wider investigation into concerns that have been raised. That is still under way. "The Police Commissioner was first made aware of those concerns in March and directed the investigation occur. This is a separate issue to the criminal investigation into Jevon McSkimming." In response to questions from RNZ, McSkimming released a statement through his lawyer. "Mr McSkimming strongly denies any allegation he acted in any way inappropriately in relation to the vetting process for firearms licences. "As the overall operational lead on firearms, at one time Mr McSkimming raised issues about how the vetting process was being applied. He took those concerns to the Executive Leadership Team and, following discussion at the ELT, the process was subsequently modified." In response to questions from RNZ, Mitchell said in a statement he was aware "some concerns have been brought forward". He said the Police Commissioner was "looking into the matter". There were no timeframes for the various investigations at this time. The firearms regulator was established following the Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019. According to its website, it has three main functions: implementing the firearms licensing system; managing the Firearms Registry; and educating people to enable compliance and promote the safe use of firearms. RNZ revealed last week pornography found on McSkimming's work computer is being investigated as alleged objectionable material. He declined to comment on the allegations through his lawyer. Last Friday evening, his lawyer Linda Clark was granted a rare "superinjunction" by Justice Grau that prohibited reporting that disclosed the nature of the allegedly objectionable material, as well as the existence of the injunction itself, until 2.15pm on Monday. On Monday, Justice Gwyn held a teleconference from the High Court at Wellington to discuss the injunction with Clark, the police, and legal counsel for RNZ, Stuff and NZME. Following that conference, the order prohibiting publication of the nature of the allegedly objectionable material was continued - but the order prohibiting the existence of the injunction was not continued, meaning RNZ can now report the fact of McSkimming's application and the interim result. Chambers said in a statement last week that he appreciated that the resignation of McSkimming raised questions, but said the criminal investigation couldn't be "compromised by commenting on the circumstances of it at this point". "However, I can say that I have always made it very clear that trust and confidence in police is a top priority for me as commissioner," Chambers said. "I take very seriously anything that puts trust and confidence and the reputation of police at risk and will act to address it. "I have high expectations of all police staff and will address it if those standards are not met, irrespective of rank or role." In announcing McSkimming's resignation last week, Mitchell said McSkimming had resigned before he could be dismissed. "I instructed the Public Service Commission to commence the process to remove Mr McSkimming from office after allegations of a very serious nature recently came to light, separate to the investigation that led to him being suspended." He did not say what the allegations were. Mitchell said the Policing Act was "very clear". "A deputy commissioner of police must be a 'fit and proper' person. They are rightly held to the highest standards of conduct and this new information called into serious question Mr McSkimming's fitness for office. "When Mr McSkimming was invited to respond to these allegations he chose to resign. Mr McSkimming's resignation has confirmed my view that his continuation in the role was untenable." Police advised Mitchell that their investigations into McSkimming would continue, notwithstanding his resignation.
Scoop
13-05-2025
- Scoop
Review Of Firearms Registry Finds Public Safety Benefits And Recommends ItContinue
The head of the Firearms Safety Authority (Te Tari Pūreke) is pleased an external review of the Firearms Registry has found it helps to protect the public from harm and that it should continue. Acting Executive Director, Superintendent Richard Wilson, says the Ministry of Justice review shines a light on hard work behind the scenes to keep communities and frontline Police safe from the risk of firearms harm. 'The Firearms Registry is less than two years into a five-year implementation programme and it's really clear what the benefits are,' says Superintendent Wilson. 'The Registry is an essential part of a bigger system to deal with firearms harm in our communities. It is designed to mitigate the risk of firearms falling into the wrong hands through greater transparency and accountability when firearms are imported, manufactured, bought and sold. 'It gives frontline Police access to real-time information to support risk assessments about firearms in a property or vehicle when they're responding to critical incidents. It also supports the work of Police intelligence and criminal investigations. 'The majority of firearms licence holders are good law-abiding people. Unfortunately, there are still a few who divert firearms to unlicensed offenders. The Registry is a significant tool to support Police to detect this offending. Over time the Registry will increasingly make it more difficult for firearms to move from lawful hands into the black market of unlicensed people, including gangs, extremists, or criminals. 'The Registry also helps licence holders have more confidence when buying or selling firearms. They can check firearms have not been stolen. 'We know from daily engagement with licence holders that most are fit and proper to use a firearm, understand their obligations and have no trouble meeting them. There are strong levels of compliance with the Registry. I acknowledge all licence holders who have filled in the Registry so far and are doing their bit to make it harder for criminals to access firearms. 'We have just passed an important milestone where more than one-third (36 percent) of all licence holders have now entered their details into the Registry. A significant proportion, around 24,000 licence holders or 29 percent of those registered, did so proactively without waiting for an activating event. An activating event could be renewing a licence, buying or selling a firearm, or moving address. 'We have invested a lot of time and effort into working alongside licence holders to help them meet their legal obligations. The results of the Registry Review show the engagement and partnership is paying off. 'It provides a useful stocktake at an early stage of implementation and confirms the Registry's public safety impact. We will continue to drive enhancements across the whole firearms system. There is always room for improvement, within our overall funding and resource constraints,' said Superintendent Wilson. In summary, the Review's main findings for the Authority are: the Firearms Registry should continue as planned; early indications show the Registry contributes to public safety; diversion of firearms to the black market is a threat to public safety and the Registry mitigates that risk; the Registry has been cost-effective; the Registry meets government standards for security of personal information; Registry requirements for licence holders are necessary, appropriate and streamlined; Police and the Authority could improve reporting of some monitoring and evaluation data, and report on any operational improvements that could be made within current budgets. The Government has also made decisions around existing Regulations due to take effect from 24 June 2025. These are: Cabinet has confirmed the purchase of ammunition becomes an activating circumstance for firearms licence holders after 24 June 2025. Cabinet has confirmed ammunition sellers and licensed dealers must record sales of ammunition to licence holders in the Firearms Registry from 24 June 2025. Cabinet has agreed to defer the obligation for firearms dealers to register all of the arms items in their possession, until June 2027. Notes: The Registry by the numbers [1 May 2025] 81,400 individual licence holders registered (36% of active licence holders). 400,143 firearms and 13,742 firearms parts registered to known locations and licence holders. Almost 89% of registered firearms and parts are non-prohibited, or standard 'A-Cat' firearms such as rifles and shotguns. For the first time Police are able to understand where these firearms are being held in our communities, and when they are swapping hands. The remainder include pistols, prohibited firearms or restricted weapons. 229,022 active individual licence holders. 426 firearms dealer licences. A dealer licence allows a person to sell, hire, lend or supply arms items; repair or modify items; manufacture items; display items in a bona fide museum; and possess items for auction. Around 99% of licence holders who registered after an activating circumstance did so within required time frames and avoided escalation to enforcement action, like suspension of their licence. Just 28 people had their firearms licence revoked where registry non-compliance was a factor or one of several factors. These numbers are drawn from a dynamic database and are subject to update or revision.
NZ Herald
12-05-2025
- NZ Herald
‘Internal employment process' under way at Firearms Safety Authority
RNZ 12 May, 2025 01:33 AM Quick Read New Zealand's firearms safety regulator faces internal scrutiny after staff complaints. Photo / Reece Baker, RNZ By Sam Sherwood of RNZ An 'internal employment process' is under way at Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority, after concerns were raised by staff. The firearms regulator was established after the Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019. According to its website it has three main functions including implementing the firearms licensing system, managing the Firearms Registry and educating people to enable compliance and promote the safe use of firearms. The Firearms Safety Authority is a business unit hosted within New Zealand Police. RNZ was recently informed about concerns of a 'toxic culture' in the unit with allegations of bullying and concerns about the management of complaints. In response to questions from RNZ, a police spokesperson confirmed an 'internal employment process' was under way at Te Tari Pūreke 'following concerns raised by some staff'. 'Police has the same privacy obligations as any other employer and therefore cannot provide any further information or comment.' Te Tari Pūreke's website states its role as regulator is to 'enable fit and proper people to legitimately use firearms in New Zealand and seek to protect the public from the harm that may be caused by the misuse of firearms'. -RNZ
Otago Daily Times
12-05-2025
- Otago Daily Times
'Internal employment process' begins at Firearms Safety Authority
There have been allegations of a "toxic culture" at the Firearms Safety Authority. An "internal employment process" is under way at Te Tari Pūreke Firearms Safety Authority, after concerns were raised by staff. The firearms regulator was established following the Christchurch Mosque attacks in 2019. According to its website it has three main functions including implementing the firearms licensing system, managing the Firearms Registry and educating people to enable compliance and promote the safe use of firearms. The Firearms Safety Authority is a business unit hosted within New Zealand Police. RNZ was recently informed about concerns of a "toxic culture" in the unit with allegations of bullying and concerns about the management of complaints. In response to questions from RNZ, a police spokesperson confirmed an "internal employment process" was under way at Te Tari Pūreke "following concerns raised by some staff". "Police has the same privacy obligations as any other employer and therefore cannot provide any further information or comment." Te Tari Pūreke's website states its role as regulator is to "enable fit and proper people to legitimately use firearms in New Zealand and seek to protect the public from the harm that may be caused by the misuse of firearms".
