Victoria Police officer Krystle Mitchell says most cops don’t believe in Covid orders

A senior policewoman who quit the force after saying the “great majority” of police don’t believe in the state’s Covid orders is under investigation by Victoria Police’s professional standards command.

A senior Victoria Police officer has sensationally quit the force after fronting an internet show over Victoria’s response to Covid.

Acting Senior Sergeant Krystle Mitchell, who has been a sworn officer for 16 years, told internet program The Discernible Interviews Victoria Police had lost its independence from government.

“I’m here for a number of reasons but firstly I just want to talk about who I am and the career I’ve had with Victoria Police,’’ she said.

“There was a big thought process and battle of morals and integrity within me about what I wanted to do and how I see my organisation being used during this pandemic and it troubled me greatly.

“I’ve been in the police for 16 years and I currently work in gender equality and inclusion command. It’s the best job I’ve ever had. I love my job …’’

“But behind that is all of my friends that are police officers that are working the front line and are suffering every day enforcing CHO directions, that certainly the great majority don’t believe in and don’t want to enforce.’’

Acting Senior Sergeant Krystle Mitchell says the great majority of police don’t believe in enforcing the CHO directions.

“The consequences of me being here today is that I will be resigning from Victoria Police effective at the end of this interview because the consequences of me coming out publicly would be dismissal.

“So I’m choosing to quit because I can’t remedy in my soul any more the way in which the organisation I love to work for is being used and the damage that it’s causing to the reputation of Victoria Police and the damage it is causing the community.”

Acting Sgt Mitchell said Victoria Police patrols were scaring people, not reassuring the community.

Sgt Mitchell claims to be the founder of a group of officers opposed to mandatory vaccination of police, which involves about 200 members.

It’s understood Sgt Mitchell has canvassed a switch to politics after meeting with parties.

Among the issues Sgt Mitchell has taken a stand against is force’s response to anti-vaccination protests which gripped Melbourne and led to violent confrontations.

But Victoria Police has defended itself saying it does not pick and choose which laws to enforce.

Acting Senior Sergeant Krystle Mitchell aired her views in an interview.

In a statement released on Saturday morning it confirmed Sgt Mitchell’s resignation while also referring her conduct to Professional Standards Command for investigation.

“The comments in this interview in no way reflect the views of Victoria Police,” the statement said.

“For the past 18 months, our members have been working tirelessly to enforce chief health officer directions aimed at slowing the spread of coronavirus to keep all Victorians healthy and to save lives.

“The CHO directions are based on health advice and set by the Victorian Government.

“Victoria Police cannot pick and choose what laws it enforces.”

“We acknowledge this has been an extremely difficult time for all Victorians who have had to give up so much.

“Just like the community, Victoria Police looks forward to the easing of restrictions and the eventual return to pre-Covid life.

“We have repeatedly said we support the right for people to peacefully protest and this has not changed.

“While now is not the time to protest due to risk of the spread of the virus and the current restrictions, Victoria Police is committed to facilitating peaceful protests once the directions allow.

“Our members take their duty to protect and serve the community incredibly seriously.

“We know how fragile public trust can be and it is important people can have confidence in what we do.

“We are grateful for the strong support we have received from the community for the work that frontline police have been doing in difficult circumstances to keep the community safe.

“While our members have been tasked with COVID-19 enforcement, this has not stopped their determination to drive down crime, seek justice for victims and hold offenders to account.

“So that we can continue this important work, it is vital our employees are vaccinated in-line with the government’s recent mandate.

“This ensures that their colleagues and the community are not at risk from the spread of the virus by police.

“While individual employees have important human rights, these must be weighed against the interests of the community during this public health emergency. ‘’

Sgt Mitchell resigned from the force on Friday morning.

Victoria Police accepted her resignation and she immediately went on personal leave and will not return to her duties.

ANDREWS GOVERNMENT MINISTER WEIGHS IN

Victorian government minister Danny Pearson has played down reports of a policewoman who quit the force after slamming the state’s response to Covid-19.

When quizzed about the officer’s resignation at Saturday’s Covid-19 media conference, Mr Pearson praised the work of police.

“To this individual officer, what I would say is I thank them for their service,” he said.

“I don‘t know how long they have served for, but I thank them on behalf of all Victorians for the service they have given to keep our state safe.

Mr Pearson deferred further questions to the police commissioner.

Ultimately those matters are of an operational nature and it would be inappropriate for me to comment on operational matters,” he said.

“But I do want to say that I just really do appreciate everything that Victoria Police does and has done to keep us safe.”