Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton resigned on Sunday, ending his five-year term four months early.
It came after 87% of police union members supported a vote of ‘no confidence’ in his leadership.
Patton said his departure would “allow fresh leadership in the role.”
Shane Patton
Patton joined the police force in 1978.
He was appointed Police Commissioner in June 2020 for a five-year contract.
Patton’s term included Victoria’s lengthy COVID-19 lockdowns, and unresolved pay negotiations with the State Government beginning in November 2023.
No confidence
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According to police statistics, the number of crimes recorded in the year to September 2024 was up 15% from the previous year.
On Friday, more than 12,600 members of the Police Association Victoria (the police union) voted for a ‘no confidence’ motion against Patton’s leadership.
Police Association President Karl David said: “Our members need urgent fixes to critical failings in policing and for this to occur there needs to be change at the top with a fresh direction.”
Resignation
Following the vote, Patton said that while the result was “disappointing,” he would “continue to lead”.
By Sunday, however, he resigned, citing the “current circumstances”.
Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan thanked Patton for “his leadership through challenging times.”
Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam will lead police in the short-term, before Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent takes over “until a permanent replacement is chosen.”
