Ex-homicide squad detective Ron Iddles lured out of retirement
FORMER detective Ron Iddles has been lured out of retirement to become the state’s first community safety trustee and has a warning for the government if it fails to deliver on safety promises.
Law & Order
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FORMER homicide squad detective Ron Iddles has been lured out of retirement to become the state’s first community safety trustee.
The move by the Andrews Government to try to desperately mend its law-and-order credentials comes after a horror year that has seen youth riots, a series of violent aggravated burglaries and carjackings, and a huge spike in crime.
The crisis has seen the government cop a political pasting, with the Opposition exploiting weaknesses and promising to bring in tough new minimum sentences.
Mr Iddles, a police officer for more than 40 years, told the Herald Sun he would be independent and the government will “get a smack” if it failed to deliver on community safety promises.
He said it would be his job to hold it to account on law-and-order policies and report his findings twice a year.
“There’ll be no spin,” he said. “I’ve already said, ‘you might not like what I say’. If they don’t deliver, they’ll get a smack. My job is to ensure the government deliver what they say they will.”
Mr Iddles retired earlier this year as secretary of the Police Association, after a long and distinguished police career.
He was a decorated investigator with the homicide squad and helped solve complex cold case crimes.
THE CRIMES THAT KEEP RON IDDLES AWAKE AT NIGHT
The new position, which is understood to pay about $100,000 a year, is a surprise announcement by the government.
Last year, when it promised to recruit thousands of new police, there was the release of a community safety statement that promised to reduce harm and put victims first.
The government has been criticised previously for its failure to keep up with the need for new police since it was elected in November, 2014.
Mr Iddles retired from his job as boss of the police union in February, but was recruited by the government to be an “independent voice for the community”.
“Since retirement I’ve had several offers of employment,” he said.
“This is the only one that has appealed to me.”
The government says its Community Safety Statement focuses on five priorities: reducing harm, increasing connection to the community, putting victims first, holding offenders to account, and improving Victoria Police skills, culture and technology.
Mr Iddles will advise he government on reforms, keep track of investment and release public reports submitted to the Police Minister.