Investigator clears former VicPol chief commissioner Simon Overland of bullying claim at City of Whittlesea

FORMER Victoria Police chief commissioner Simon Overland had a turbulent time in the job. Now he’s embroiled in an extraordinary spat as CEO of a local council.

FORMER Victorian police chief commissioner Simon Overland is embroiled in an extraordinary spat with the female head of the local government lobby who has accused him of bullying.

Municipal Association of Victoria president and Whittlesea councillor Mary Lalios alleged that Mr Overland, who is council CEO, had tried to belittle and embarrass her over a complaint she made.

But Mr Overland has hit back, claiming that Cr Lalios herself had a history of alleged bullying and intimidating behaviour at the council, according to documents tabled at a council meeting last week.

SIMON OVERLAND NEVER ONE OF THE BOYS AT VICTORIA POLICE

CALL FOR STATE INTERVENTION AT ‘DYSFUNCTIONAL’ COUNCIL

FORMER VICPOL CHIEF LANDS JOB AT WHITTLESEA COUNCIL

City of Whittlesea chief and former Victoria Police chief commissioner Simon Overland.

Mr Overland was police chief commissioner for two years until his controversial exit from the job in June 2011

He later served as a senior Tasmanian public servant, and in July last year was appointed Whittlesea chief executive on a five-year contract.

The council has been internally described as dysfunctional, with two councillor voting blocs related to ALP politics fighting it out.

The Andrews Government has been keeping an eye on Whittlesea, but rejected a request by Mayor Kris Pavlidis and some other councillors for a municipal monitor to be appointed.

Whittlesea councillor and MAV president Mary Lalios.

Cr Lalios, who is in the opposing faction to Cr Pavlidis, allegedly made the bullying complaint against Mr Overland earlier this year after he confronted her over potential “workplace bullying” related to her questioning of a council employee.

Cr Lalios accused Mr Overland of being unprofessional, denying her natural justice and of breaching her privacy by copying in other councillors to an email which contained bullying allegations against her.

An independent investigator dismissed the complaint and noted that Cr Lalios had failed to be interviewed despite several opportunities to do so, according to a report released by the council.

Whittlesea Mayor Kris Pavlidis in South Morang.

A separate report by a probity auditor requested by Mr Overland said that Cr Lalios’s psychologist said she could not attend interviews with the investigator due to being “unwell”.

The auditor’s report questioned why Cr Lalios’s condition stopped her from communicating with the investigator “but allowed her public activity as MAV president including...appearances on television”.

The Herald Sun understands that Cr Lalios denies making a formal complaint to Whittlesea Council, but has had a separate WorkCover claim accepted for a workplace injury.

It’s believed she is on leave from the council due to the WorkCover process.

It’s also understood that Cr Lalios is considering her legal options after the council released the reports last week, as well as some of her private medical information.

The MAV board moved to remove Cr Lalios as president after Whittlesea recently voted not to renew its membership with the municipal lobby group.

However, the MAV’s decision is subject to a Supreme Court challenge made by MAV board member Geoff Lake in his capacity as a private individual.

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@JMasanauskas