Shane Patton set to be handed another five-year term in top job

Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton, who led the force through Covid and is battling a youth crime wave and tobacco war, is set to be appointed to another five-year term.

There has been no advertising carried out for a replacement for Chief Commissioner Shane Patton. Picture: Luis Enrique Ascui

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton is set to be handed a second term as the state’s top cop.

The Herald Sun understands the final details of a new contract are being put together by the state government.

Mr Patton could be reappointed within days for another five-year term, well-connected sources say.

There has been no advertising carried out for a replacement for Mr Patton, whose first contract expires in June.

Details of a new contract are being put together by the state government. Picture: David Caird

The search for other candidates would normally have been under way by now, sources familiar with the process have told the Herald Sun.

Mr Patton has publicly made it clear he would be keen to serve as chief commissioner again.

“I would absolutely love to go around again but they are matters for the government,” he told Sky News last year.

“We have done a lot but there is so much to do.”

Mr Patton faced a challenging first term as the force was confronted by a range of significant issues.

He took the reins from Graham Ashton in mid-2020 as the full brunt of the Covid pandemic hit the state.

Mr Patton took over in the top job in 2020. Picture: Josie Hayden

Police were heavily criticised during the next two years for the enforcement of unpopular chief health officer restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of the virus.

Aggravated burglaries by youth offenders, some of primary-school age, have continued to dog the eastern and southeastern suburbs.

Resources have been stretched, with 70 officers committed every night in an attempt to curb that scourge.

Widespread conflict over the state’s illicit tobacco trade and about 130 arson attacks related to the black market friction have put further strain on the organisation.

Difficulties in attracting recruits and retaining members continue to be troubling for command.

An unresolved enterprise bargaining deal which festered for more than a year was another significant issue, before being put to bed last week.

Mr Patton has been with Victoria Police since joining as a cadet in 1978.

He worked as a uniformed officer at a range of stations and as a detective.

Mr Patton later served in prosecutions, internal investigations, transit and was chief of staff for former Chief Commissioner Simon Overland.

He oversaw creation of the counter-terror command and was appointed to the rank of Deputy Commissioner in 2015.

Originally published as Shane Patton set to be handed another five-year term in top job