A New Zealand Police officer who showed courage in challenging senior officers’ decision-making has been honoured by her counterparts from across Australasia.
Detective Superintendent Kylie Schaare, Director Integrity and Conduct, won the Integrity and Courage Award at the 2026 Australasian Council of Women and Policing (ACWAP) Excellence in Policing awards last night.
ACWAP praised Kylie’s “sustained courage in insisting that proper process, victim-centred practice and independent oversight be upheld" when serious allegations involved a senior officer in New Zealand Police.
“The award relates to a New Zealand Independent Police Conduct Authority report which found significant failings in the response of a number of senior Police leaders to serious complaints made against disgraced former Deputy Commissioner Jevon McSkimming in 2023 and early 2024," ACWAP said.
Receiving the award, during the ACWAP Development Seminar in Darwin, Northern Territory, Kylie said integrity and courage did not belong to a select few: "While my name may be on this award it certainly doesn't belong to me alone.
"I want to acknowledge my teams in Integrity and Conduct, and in particular those in the National Integrity Unit for the commitment they demonstrated during this investigation. The work they do is often unseen, sometimes unpopular and frequently carried out under immense pressure.
"They come to work every day committed to fairness, accountability and doing the right thing and I'm incredibly proud of them."
Commissioner Richard Chambers led the congratulations. “This award is well-deserved recognition of Kylie’s integrity, strength and leadership in difficult circumstances,” he says.
“While I know Kylie would say she was simply doing her job, she has a challenging role and has demonstrated consistent and strong leadership of the National Integrity Unit.
“Kylie and the other finalists at this year’s awards have done us proud and are a credit to New Zealand Police.
"I thank them all for the service they have done for our organisation and those we serve.”
Our colleagues also appeared elsewhere on the agenda during the two-day seminar.
Assistant Commissioner Corrie Parnell represented Commissioner Chambers on a Commissioners’ panel on Leading the Future: What Comes Next.
Kylie gave a presentation on The Moments that Define Us: Integrity, Leadership and Service; and Senior Constable Bryan Ward presented on From Concept to Community: The Bryan and Bobby story.
Superintendent Naila Hassan, seconded to the Australian Institute of Police Management, was another speaker, appearing on a discussion panel yesterday and due to give a keynote address today.
Kylie was among 46 finalists in 12 award categories. Other New Zealand finalists were:
Shannon Kemp, Scene of Crime Officer, Henderson, Waitematā - Most Outstanding Female Employee category
"Shannon is an exceptional civilian employee whose impact on New Zealand Police extends far beyond her role as a Scene of Crime Officer... she has consistently demonstrated outstanding innovation, resilience, empathy and investigative excellence."
Mana Wāhine Employee-Led Network - Indigenous First Nations Peoples Excellence in Policing category
"Since establishment in 2019, Mana Wāhine ELN has empowered Indigenous women through strengthened representation in governance, identifying systemic barriers and championing indigenous-led solutions in recruitment, mentoring and advocacy."
Superintendent Zane Hooper, Deployment Commander, Auckland - Champion of Change category
"Zane’s unwavering advocacy, mentorship and courage to challenge the status quo have not only transformed workplace culture but set a new standard for how men can actively and authentically advance gender equality in policing."