The 52-year-old appeared in the Wellington District Court yesterday before Judge Tim Black.
McSkimming pleaded guilty to three representative charges of possessing objectionable publications, namely child sexual exploitation and bestiality material knowing or having reasonable cause to believe that the publication is objectionable.
McSkimming grew up in Dunedin and attended John McGlashan College, where he was a day student.
He then attended Dunedin Teacher’s College after leaving school in the 1990s.
He was believed to be involved in the student association while at the college.
He did not take up teaching when he left the college and instead went to the police college in Trentham in 1996.
In 2000, recently married, he was transferred to Gore from Auckland where he had first been posted, Stuff reported.
While in Gore, McSkimming gained a police bronze medal after he subdued a man who had locked himself in a house, armed with kitchen knives.
He then moved to Murchison in 2005 and began his climb up the police hierarchy.
"The outcome shows all police, no matter their rank, are accountable to the laws that apply to us all.
"Mr McSkimming’s behaviour was not only criminal, but goes against the core values of police.
"I will not allow this to tarnish my staff, who are as appalled by this as I am.
"This shameful episode has done their dedication an immense disservice."
Comm Chambers said from the moment he was advised about the circumstances he had taken it "seriously and acted on it".
"As soon as I was made aware of the nature of the material found, I raised it with the minister of police as a conduct matter to allow him to consider Mr McSkimming’s position at the time as a statutory deputy commissioner.
"Mr McSkimming subsequently resigned from police."
Comm Chambers also ordered a rapid review of the controls and security of police devices.
"I moved quickly to remedy the gaps it identified and ordered auditing and monitoring of staff use of police devices.
"We will investigate any cases of staff found to have accessed inappropriate or objectionable material and will take action where conduct falls short of standard and expectations."
Comm Chambers ended his statement acknowledging the "the outstanding work of more than 15,000 police staff across the country who work day and night to help keep our country safe".
McSkimming resigned as the country’s second-most powerful officer in May amid separate investigations by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) and police.
The IPCA had earlier said it was investigating allegations of misconduct by McSkimming following a complaint from a member of the public.
McSkimming made no comment as he left the Wellington District Court yesterday, refusing to answer any questions from the media.
— RNZ/Allied Media
