Race for Victoria’s next top cop now wide open
The race is on to find Victoria’s next top cop after Rick Nugent announced he was dropping out, but surging crime, rampant youth offending and recruitment issues are tipped to weigh heavily on those tempted to throw their hat in the ring.
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The race to replace Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton is wide open and may end with an external appointment.
It is unclear exactly who has applied, following interim top cop Rick Nugent’s dramatic announcement this week to opt out of the process.
Applications closed on Friday with no candidate names publicly known and seasoned observers unable to find a clear favourite.
One said a number of high-ranked Victoria Police officers would have a chance, if they put their names forward.
Two permanent DCs, Robert Hill and Wendy Steendam, would also be in the mix, if interested.
Acting Deputy Commissioner Chris Gilbert, a veteran officer with vast experience in the force could also be considered.
The search for a new boss comes after a period in which Victoria Police’s upper leadership ranks have been gutted.
Eighteen months ago, there would have been a strong list of locals who might have taken on the next term as top cop, which begins in June this year.
The incumbent Mr Patton would have been favourite but he was told by the state government in February that his contract would not be renewed.
Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson – regarded as capable of filling the chief’s role – left days after Mr Nugent was appointed as stand-in.
Ross Guenther, also a deputy to Patton, may have been a contender but sources say his cards were marked after he made strong public comments about the state’s justice system in 2023.
One source said the scratching of those runners had created a potential opening for officers from other law enforcement bodies, including the Australian Federal Police.
Among them – if they were interested – would be deputy commissioners Krissy Barrett, Ian McCartney and Lesa Gale.
The complication with AFP officers is that their chief Reece Kershaw finishes up next year, creating a tempting vacancy for those who have spent decades in that law enforcement agency.
There has been speculation West Australia’s Chief Commissioner, Col Blanch, may be interested and would be a good fit.
But the Herald Sun has been told Mr Blanch, a former Victorian, is happy to stay on the other side of the continent.
Ex-Queensland Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Gee could also be seen as an outside chance for the role, if he has put his hand up.
Mr Gee, who quickly rose up in the ranks in the service, quit for a role in the Queensland Government.
The highly educated Mr Gee is now the Director-General for the Department of Youth Justice.
He was shortlisted for the role of Queensland Police Commissioner last year.
There is speculation that former Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones has applied.
The United Kingdom-based Sir Ken Jones left in 2011 amid a previous era of command chaos in which he paid the price for questioning elements of what the force was doing.
He has an impressive resume going for him and won the respect of many while in Victoria but a potential negative is that, if chosen, he would be aged 78 by the time his term expired.
The state government invitation for applicants says it is looking for a “highly accomplished and visionary leader”.
“The Chief Commissioner provides leadership to deliver policing services that support safe communities in Victoria, integrity and sustainability in operations and performance, strong relationships with critical stakeholders in government, community and business and trust with the Victorian community,” it stated.
One former high-ranked officer said Victoria’s surging crime rate, rampant youth offending and issues with member recruitment and attrition were factors which would weigh heavily for those tempted to throw their hat in the ring.
The strong possibility of the state government changing at an election next year was also a factor applicants would consider, he said.
“You know the government is probably going to get sacked and the next lot are going to hate you,” the ex-cop said.
Originally published as Race for Victoria’s next top cop now wide open
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