Police officer Matthew Rogers' online search for pornographic material revealed in documents
A senior Auckland police officer, Matthew Rogers, has pleaded guilty to possessing objectionable material after an internal review discovered he used work devices to search for child sexual abuse material. The investigation was triggered by a wider audit of police internet usage following a separate high-profile case.
Why it matters
This case highlights significant internal security and conduct issues within the police force, raising concerns about the vetting and monitoring of law enforcement personnel.
An Auckland officer used his work devices to search for pornographic material for more than two years.
Matthew Rogers appeared in the Manukau District Court on Friday before Judge Luke Radich where he pleaded guilty to a representative charge of possessing an objectionable publication.
The summary of facts was released to RNZ on Monday.
The court document says Rogers, who joined police in 1986, was a Senior Sergeant employed as a district shift commander in Auckland's District Command Centre.
In October 2025, police carried out a rapid review of staff internet usage sparked by the resignation of former deputy police commissioner Jevon McSkimming, after child sexual exploitation and bestiality material were found on his work devices.
This revealed that between August 2023 and October 2025, Rogers used a police-issued device to conduct searches for pornographic and sexualised material.
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