The premier today said it would be inappropriate and disrespectful to answer questions about the timeline following Friday’s vote, but said “a range of discussions” occurred over the weekend.
“Out of respect to Mr Patton, out of the respect for the office of Chief Commissioner, I will not be going into the detail of those discussions,” Allan said.
“Those matters are confidential. As they should be and will remain so.”
On Friday, about 87.13 per cent of more than 12,000 officers surveyed by the Police Association Victoria said they didn’t have confidence in him to lead the force.
“The overwhelming vote of police members… It was an outcome that simply couldn’t be ignored and it sent a very clear message that police members were looking for a fresh start,” Allan said.
“I want to make it clear that I thank and respect the work Shane has done, serving the community for decades.”
Police Minister Anthony Carbines also refused to address this weekend’s discussions, saying he had nothing “further to add”.
“I am not going to discuss blow-by-blow arrangements with senior government officials over the weekend,” he said.
“It is not appropriate, it is not dignified, it is not respectful of the parties.”
In a statement last night, Patton said he had committed his life to the organisation and took the decision with a “heavy heart” but it was “the right one to allow fresh leadership in the role”.
“To have been given the opportunity to lead a police organisation such as Victoria Police is an absolute privilege and one very few people have. I was fortunate to have done so and for that I am very thankful,” he said.
“At the many graduation parades I attend, I often say that policing has often been described as having front row seats to the greatest show on earth and that is true.
“It is a fantastic job, rewarding, challenging and one that provides a second family, a family of blue. One that I will miss immensely.”
Patton’s five-year term had been set to end in June but was reportedly not going to be renewed.
His first major job in the role was enforcing COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.
Patton ‘let down’ by Victorian government
Former homicide detective Charlie Bezzina believes Patton was “let down” by the Victorian government following his late-night resignation.
Speaking with Today, Bezzina described Patton as a scapegoat who had inherited a “poison chalice” when he took on the role in 2020.
“I don’t think he had much choice with a two-faced government and a treacherous police union. I think he took the right step. Unfortunate as it may well be to him,” he said.
“How can you operate without getting the resources? (He has) been told to cut the budget by $1 billion. He’s inherited a broken system since 2000, when Christine Nixon was in the chair, and she would not accept there were gangs.
“Since her, there were another four chief commissioners that have done nothing. When Shane Patton took that job on, he took on a poison chalice.”
The sentiment was echoed by crime reporter John Silvester, better known as Sly of the Underworld.
“Shane Patton was executed by this government as efficiently as any gangland hit,” Sly said on 3AW Breakfast.
“They can turn around and use the oldest trick in the book, blame someone, find a scapegoat, rebadge, and move on,” he said.
Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent will step up as acting Police Chief Commissioner.