The fate of Victoria’s police chief is under a cloud, with a majority of his workforce calling for a fresh start after declaring no confidence in his leadership.
More than half of the 21,715-member Victorian police force said they had lost confidence in Commissioner Shane Patton to lead and manage the force.
In a secret ballot where more than 14,500 Police Association members took part, 12,695 workers – or 87 per cent – voted ‘‘no” when asked if they had confidence Patton could lead and manage Victoria Police in the future.
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Patton has been told his contact won’t be renewed, according to the Herald Sun.
In a statement, Police Minister Anthony Carbines said: “A process is underway for the role of the Chief Commissioner of Police and it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
Mr Patton said the ballot result was personally disappointing but he hoped movement on the pay deal would alleviate members’ concerns.
“Rest assured my commitment to the role of chief commissioner has not waivered (sic) and I will continue to lead this organisation,” he said in a statement.
He had been scheduled to appear on a radio interview on Friday but pulled out last minute following the vote of no-confidence.
The vote was a “ground-driven” move by rank-and-file officers who had witnessed colleagues fall off the deep end and a force in decline, police union secretary Wayne Gatt said.
“They don’t take these things decisions lightly, and it’s difficult for them, but they are calling for a fresh start,” Mr Gatt said.
“They need a circuit breaker, or else they fear nothing will change.”
The vote came after Mr Carbines last week said the government would likely not re-advertise Mr Patton’s position, which is due to expire mid-2025, as he had confidence in Mr Patton.
“Our members wanted to speak for themselves,” Police Association president Karl David said.
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jane Miller resigned in August, weeks after the paramedic union passed a vote of no confidence in the executive board and called for the minister to appoint new management.
Senior minister Gabrielle Williams refused to be drawn on whether the state government had confidence in Mr Patton or if he should resign if the vote didn’t go his way.
The union had been at war with Victoria Police in recent times over a protracted pay dispute, with a revised deal set to be put to a member’s vote.