One officer described policing’s top job as a poisoned chalice
Senior officers say the mayhem surrounding Victoria Police’s leadership vacuum is a “circus”, with one asking “who the f*** would want the job?”
True Crime
Don't miss out on the headlines from True Crime. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Premier Jacinta Allan insists Victoria Police is not in chaos despite the state’s top cop Rick Nugent declaring he was walking away from the job just 41 days after taking it on.
Senior investigators have labelled the mayhem surrounding Victoria Police’s leadership vacuum as a “circus”.
“It’s a shit show isn’t it?” a veteran cop said.
Another described policing’s top job as a poisoned chalice.
“This has done so much damage to policing,” the senior officer said.
“Someone will have to pick up the pieces, but who the f... would want the job.”
After the Herald Sun revealed Acting Chief Commissioner Nugent was quitting the force, Ms Allan said she had not spoken to him, nor was she aware of any conflict of interest when she appointed him to the role.
Mr Nugent’s shock resignation came as he faces allegations of “inappropriate conduct involving a conflict of interest” during his stint as a commissioner.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) is reviewing the complaints.
Denying any misconduct yesterday, Mr Nugent said: “I am completely comfortable with um, with um, um, my um, I’m satisfied that I have not committed any crime, breached any policies or guidelines.”
Asked whether she took responsibility for the chaos within Victoria Police, Ms Allan said: “I thank Rick Nugent and every single member of Victoria Police for keeping our community safe.
“When it comes to taking responsibility, I absolutely take responsibility for supporting the work of every single member of Victoria Police.”
Ms Allan was probed on whether Mr Nugent was the appropriate pick to replace ousted police chief Shane Patton until a permanent Commissioner was appointed.
“Rick, in his statement, identifies the role, its demands and understanding that if you’re going to sign up for five years, you’ve got to be ready to go for the full five years,” she said.
Ms Allan said the decision was a reminder that “behind every police uniform is a person and we should respect that.”
She rejected suggestions that her government had mistreated the former chief commissioner, Mr Patton.
Mr Patton quit in February after being told by the government his contract would not be renewed only weeks after he had been promised a further five year contract.
He was ousted after a vote of no-confidence in him by police members.
“I point to the fact that the former Chief Commissioner decided to step away from the role … that followed the no-confidence motion that was passed by the police force,” she said.
Victoria Police’s executive command team will hold a meeting today to reassure frontline police that amid the leadership turmoil the focus remained on them.
The hunt for a new chief commissioner will begin after applications close on Friday.
Originally published as One officer described policing’s top job as a poisoned chalice
Emotional reason man who found Rachelle’s body gets ‘Team Chelle’ tatt
The man who made the chilling discovery of Rachelle’s burning body on the side of the road almost 24 years ago has opened up about why he got inked in her honour. Listen to the podcast.
‘Sleazy’: Creepy men in Rachelle’s life flagged before her brutal murder
Rachelle Childs had raised concerns about various men just before she was murdered, including one who said something that didn’t sit quite right with her childhood friend. Listen to the podcast.