Police Commissioner Richard Chambers is under investigation by the Independent Police Conduct Authority and New Zealand Police over complaints made against him, but details about the inquiry remain unclear.
Deputy Police Commissioner Mike Pannett confirmed the investigation in a statement. "Complaints relating to Commissioner Chambers are being investigated by the IPCA [Independent Police Conduct Authority] and Police," Pannett said. "These are being managed in accordance with proper processes including oversight by the IPCA. There is no further comment at this stage."
Chambers rejected the allegations against him. "I strongly reject the claims that have been made," he said. He told staff he has been advised it is not necessary for him to take leave and will continue working. Chambers said he would cooperate fully with the investigation.
Timeline and ministerial knowledge
Police Minister Mark Mitchell received complaints about the Commissioner on 21 November 2025 and 1 February 2026. Both complaints were referred to the IPCA and the Police National Integrity Unit.
Police declined to disclose when the investigation began or explain why it remains ongoing in June. Chambers' office also declined to say when he was notified of the investigation.
RNZ understands the allegations concern purported behaviour toward women and remain unsubstantiated. National Integrity Unit investigators travelled to Australia to interview one complainant, with that allegation thought to be historical.
Previous statements on investigation timeframes
Chambers previously said he was worried that inquiries into staff were dragging on. Last year he established an expectation that workplace matters should be concluded within 60 days.
"As far as I am aware NZ Police has not set timeliness targets for this in the past, but I was concerned many of the matters we deal with were taking too long, and unnecessarily so," Chambers said at the time. "That has a significant impact on all of those involved."
IPCA and Public Service Commission response
The IPCA said it had received complaints about Chambers and is directing oversight of the Police inquiry. "We recognise that there is a high level of public interest in complaints which involve senior police officers," an IPCA spokesperson said. "It is important that these complaints are appropriately assessed and follow normal complaint processes."
The Public Service Commission said Chambers does not consider it required for him to stand down at this time.
Chambers' career and recent context
Chambers became Police Commissioner in November 2024, replacing Andrew Coster. He started his policing career in 1996 as a constable in Avondale and was appointed area commander for Lower Hutt in 2007 before receiving promotion to assistant commissioner in 2016. He leads an organisation of 15,000 staff.
The investigation comes months after the IPCA issued findings in November documenting failures at senior levels of Police, including former Commissioner Andrew Coster, over the response to complaints about Jevon McSkimming. McSkimming stepped down after investigators located child sexual exploitation and bestiality material on his workplace equipment.
"The events and findings set out in the IPCA report made for appalling reading and showed a total lack of leadership and integrity at the highest levels of police," Chambers said at the time.
"I acknowledge the public interest in this, but it is important the investigation takes its course," Chambers said of the current inquiry. "I cannot make further comment at this point."