Police Commissioner Richard Chambers “Away with the Fairies,” Pulled Over for Speeding
Wellington, New Zealand – November 13, 2025 – New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has publicly admitted to receiving a speeding ticket last week, candidly telling a crowd of graduating police recruits that the infraction was the “dumbest thing I’ve done” since taking the top job. The admission comes at a particularly sensitive time for the Police, following the release of a damning report detailing misconduct at the highest levels over a separate sexual misconduct scandal.
Commissioner Chambers chose the platform of the graduation ceremony for the No. 389 Recruit wing in Porirua on Thursday to reveal his own mistake, seeking to use the incident as a lesson in accountability for the new officers.
An Honest Confession: “I Should Know Better”
Speaking to the new recruits, their supporters, and Police staff, Chambers did not mince words about his indiscretion. He confessed to being “oblivious, away with the fairies” at the time, but quickly stressed that neither was an excuse.
“It’s not something that I’m proud of. Course I wish I hadn’t done it… I should know better. It’s the dumbest thing that I’ve done since I’ve been the commissioner of police,” Chambers stated.
He later confirmed to RNZ that he was clocked travelling at 111km/h on State Highway 2, on the Western Hutt Road, which is a 100km/h zone. The incident occurred on November 6 as he was returning from a ceremony marking the graduation of new patrol dog teams. The Commissioner was driving an unmarked police vehicle but was in uniform when he was pulled over.
Chambers was quick to reiterate his commitment to accountability, assuring that he made no attempt to talk his way out of the fine. “I would never do that. I’m accountable and I’ve said that since the day I was made commissioner of police.” Police confirmed he paid the standard $80 fine immediately upon returning home.
A Lesson in Owning Mistakes Amidst Turmoil
The Commissioner’s admission is viewed through the lens of a tumultuous week for the organisation. Just days prior, a highly critical report from the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) found serious misconduct by senior police leaders, including former Commissioner Andrew Coster, in their response to allegations of sexual misconduct by former Deputy Police Commissioner Jevon McSkimming.
Addressing the graduates, Chambers encouraged them to take ownership of their future mistakes. “You’re no different to me, you’ll make mistakes – but own it, learn from it, be stronger for it and move on,” he advised.
He directly referenced the McSkimming scandal, urging the new officers not to let the actions of a small group of former senior officers distract them from their core purpose. “We are dealing with a small group of former, very senior police officers. That’s a disgrace – as I’ve said – It lacks leadership, it lacks integrity. I want my new colleagues who have graduated today to focus on their careers, to focus on the work they do in communities.”
Apology to Whistleblower
In a further move toward accountability, Commissioner Chambers expressed his hope to personally meet with the woman who was prosecuted after she initially raised concerns about McSkimming’s behaviour.
“I’ve reached out to her legal counsel and I expressed my apologies on behalf of New Zealand Police for the fact that she was not taken seriously early on when she reached out to police, more than once,” Chambers said, adding, “I would like to apologise to her face-to-face when it’s appropriate to do so.”
The woman is still facing related charges concerning messages sent to other police staff, despite the charges relating to communications with McSkimming being dropped. Chambers noted that police have instructed a senior criminal barrister in that proceeding.
The Commissioner’s open discussion of his speeding ticket, set against the backdrop of the organizational crisis, underscores a strategic effort to rebuild trust and set a clear tone of personal responsibility and transparency from the very top of the Police force.
