Shane Patton new police chief commissioner of Victoria
“Standout leader” Shane Patton will take over as Victoria’s new chief commissioner of police when Graham Ashton steps down at the end of June.
VIC News
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Premier Daniel Andrews has announced Shane Patton will take over as Victoria’s new chief commissioner of police.
Patton, who has served as deputy commissioner since September 2015 and was acting deputy since late 2014, will take over from current Chief Graham Ashton.
Patton has 40 years experience with the force, involved in complex criminal investigations, prosecutions, public transport safety and later in his career counter-terrorism.
Mr Andrews said the decision about who leads Victoria Police was a very big one and he was proud to be announcing the deputy commissioner would take on the role.
“In my dealings with Shane he is a consummate professional,” Mr Andrews said.
“Shane has demonstrated to me, to the minister and I think to all Victorians ... that he has not only that grassroots understanding, the passion to improve this organsition ... but the skill, the common sense, the very practical approach.
“Shane is someone who gets things done.
“Victoria Police could not be in better hands.”
Dept Commissioner Patton said it was an absolute honour for him to be selected as the next chief.
“I’ve grown up from when I was a young man in policing,” he said.
“It’s been my life.
“I have loved every minute of it.”
Mr Patton said he would wait until he stepped into the role to outline his vision for the future of the force.
“It’s about community safety,” he said.
“That’s what we will continue to do I can assure you of that.”
Mr Patton said he would continue to focus on crime prevention and on road safety, which remains a key issue.
Chief Ashton will remain in the position until the end of June.
Mr Andrews said Graham Ashton was a great Victorian and leaves behind a profound legacy.
In an email to all staff, current chief Graham Ashton said he was delighted by the appointment.
“Shane is a standout leader at Victoria Police who has served the Victorian community with absolute distinction throughout his extensive career.”
Mr Ashton said Mr Patton has driven a number of critical initiatives which sharpened the force’s ability to prevent and detect crime.
He said Mr Patton has been a key player in counter-terror command and driven major critical incident changes and reforms around hostile vehicles and active shooter responses.
Police Minister Lisa Neville said the incoming chief was very much part of the fabric of Victoria Police.
“He knows its strengths, but also its weaknesses,” she said.
“He will bring authenticity to that role, that’s the sort of nature of his leadership, that’s going to be a feature of how he engages with the community.”
Police Association Victoria secretary Wayne Gatt backed the appointment.
“DC Patton is a career Victorian police officer and, as such, understands the unique and positive relationship that the Victorian community has with its police – a relationship that we’re confident will continue to grow under his stewardship.
“DC Patton is highly-regarded and well-respected in the Victorian community, having worked in many diverse roles within the organisation over his 42-year career to date. He is, therefore, uniquely placed to support our membership in their difficult role and to drive change where required.
“We look forward to continuing our work with him in his new role to ensure the best possible policing outcomes are felt by all in our community.
“We take this opportunity to again acknowledge the service of outgoing Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton who has achieved many positive outcomes during his tenure, not least of which has been the large leap forward to improve mental health outcomes for both serving members and retired veterans. This will be his most enduring legacy.
Mr Patton rose up the ranks from a cadet to Deputy Commissioner over the past 40 years.
He has worked closely in key areas such as ethical standards and the development of a counter terrorism unit.
He will step into the role on June 27.
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