Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Former Police Commissioner Andrew Coster says the criminal case against his former deputy is "really disturbing".
Jevon McSkimming faces eight charges of possessing objectionable publications, including child sexual exploitation and bestiality material, on his work devices over a four-year period.
He resigned as the country's second most powerful cop in May amid separate investigations by the Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) and the police.
Jevon McSkimming Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii
McSkimming was arrested in late July and publicly named on Monday after an interim name suppression order prohibiting media from reporting his identity lapsed.
Coster, who worked with him, was asked to comment on the case in an interview on Nine to Noon on Thursday.
"It is really disturbing situation. I can't comment any more on it than that. These matters are before the court and it's completely inappropriate for me to be commenting before that's been resolved."
McSkimming, who is yet to enter a plea, is on bail until his next court appearance in November.
Police Commissioner Richard Chambers has previously said the prosecution showed no one was above the law.
The IPCA has prioritised its separate investigation into allegations of misconduct following a complaint from a member of the public, though there is no timeframe for its completion.
It is also conducting an investigation into if there was misconduct or neglect of duty by any other police officers or employee in responding to the allegations.
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