Prime Minister Jacinta Allan blames ‘overwhelming’ vote without confidence for the resignation of the police chief

Victorian Minister Jacinta Allan says that a motion of without “overwhelming” confidence transferred against the State Chief on Friday was the trigger for government discussions that led to Shane Patton’s departure from the role.

“It was a result that simply could not be ignored,” said Allan on the vote of the police union in which the vast majority of the members declared that they had no confidence in Mr. Patton’s leadership.

Mrs. Allan said that after the vote, the conversations were held during the weekend with senior officials, which led to Patton’s resignation on Sunday night.

Under a sustained interrogation by journalists on Monday, the prime minister refused to confirm whether she or Police Minister Anthony Carbines had spoken personally with Mr. Patton during the weekend.

“Out of respect for Mr. Patton, out of respect for the chief commissioner’s office, I will not go into the details of those conversations,” he said.

The outgoing chief commissioner said in a statement on Sunday night that “given the current circumstances that surround my position, I have decided to get away from the effective role immediately.”

Mrs. Allan would not comment if Mr. Patton would be paid as part of her resignation, saying that she would be “disrespectful” for Mr. Patton to discuss it publicly.

The former Victoria Police Commissioner, Christine Nixon, said she was surprised by the actions that the Government had presented the vote of non -confidence on Friday.

“I think it is a union tool to press the government to be presented in a salary dispute, that is a type of tool they have had … They used it against me,” Melbourne radio told ABC.

She said Mr. Patton had done the “correct and decent” when leaving, and that there was a good candidate field to assume the vacancy.

“There are people who will assume it,” said Nixon.

“I don’t want them to go abroad, I don’t want them to go interstate, I think we can find someone who is talented and attentive to the Victoria Police to take the organization forward.”

Emergency Commissioner to serve as an interim chief

Rick Nugent, who currently serves as Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner, will serve as an interim chief commissioner until a permanent replacement is chosen.

Mrs. Allan said Mr. Nugent would contribute a great experience and a new perspective to the role.

“Rick comes with decades of experience in serving the community as a Victorian police officer,” said Allan.

“It also comes with a great passion to return and work with the men and women of the Victoria Police, to work with local communities.”

Previously, the Secretary of the Victoria Wayne Gatt Police Association thanked Mr. Patton for his service.

“All officers, when leaving strength, look back in their career and, often, the interactions that are more memorable are the ones that make the biggest difference in the life of the common people with whom we get involved in the community. We are sure that Mr. Patton has many of those after 45 years, “Gatt said.

“TPAV expects to continue addressing many of the current problems that affect force, our members and the community with all key interested parties.”

Patton used as ‘scapegoat’, says the opposition

Shadow Police Minister David Southwick said the departure of Mr. Patton was being used as a political distraction.

“There is no doubt that Shane Patton has been thrown under a bus,” Southwick told ABC Radio Melbourne.

“It has been used as a scapegoat because Victorians do not feel safe and the government does not do their job.”

Southwick said Mr. Patton had been placed in a compromising position with budget cuts and an extended battle of EBA.

“I have always found (the commissioner Patton) a direct person up and down that fights very hard for his workers and the police in general, to be honest, I do not think he would have allowed him to reach the way he has to” Southwick said.

“The police are frustrated. They have to take him to someone and have taken him to the police commissioner.”