Shane Patton's role as Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police is growing increasingly uncertain following a resounding vote of no-confidence by officers. Commissioner Patton's contract is due to end mid-year and it was expected he would continue for another term.
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00:00After almost five years as the state's top cop, Shane Patton's future is in doubt.
00:08I think he inherited the poison chalice, in effect, because I believe Victoria Police
00:13is poorly led and managed.
00:15It'd been widely expected that Mr Patton's contract would be renewed in June, but an
00:20almost two-year pay dispute, low recruitment levels as well as rising crime rates rocked
00:25support for his leadership, with the police union this week launching a no-confidence
00:29vote against him.
00:30To have this motion put, yeah, it hurts. I'm disappointed.
00:35Yesterday, members made their feelings clear. Around 87 per cent said they'd lost faith
00:40in his leadership.
00:41Unfortunately, there is no silver bullet and these solutions take time, Mr Patton responded.
00:47Today, reports swirled he was told he would not be reappointed as Chief Commissioner of
00:51Victoria Police.
00:53I think Shane Patton's being used as a political football here by the Allen Labor Government
00:56as a scapegoat for the mistakes that they've made.
00:59Kel Glare was Chief Commissioner from 1987 to 1992. He also thinks Mr Patton was let
01:05down by the state government.
01:07Too busy digging holes in the ground for billions of dollars to properly finance policing, education
01:13and health.
01:14Despite mounting speculation that Shane Patton has been sensationally ousted, the state government
01:20today refused to front the media. In a statement, the police minister said a process is underway
01:25for the role of Chief Commissioner and it would be inappropriate to comment further.
01:30Shane bleeds blue. He's been a police officer since 1978. I don't agree with every decision
01:35he's made, but the reality is you can't then just go and use him as the fall guy.
01:39Officers will vote on a new pay deal later this month, which has the support of both
01:43police and the union.