Chief Commissioner Shane Patton reads riot act over fake gender-neutral police allegations

Victoria’s chief commissioner has announced an investigation amid claims many of the force’s new “gender neutral” cops just wanted a higher clothing allowance.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has read the riot act over allegations police might be pretending to be gender-neutral to pocket more money for their uniform. Picture: Jason Edwards

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has announced an internal investigation after more than 100 police signed on as non-binary in the space of a year.

Mr Patton on Friday read the riot act on the issue in a circular sent to all members, amid claims many of the new “gender neutral” cops have done so to put themselves in line for higher clothing allowances

Those wanting to claim the allowance, which is paid fortnightly, will now have to make a sworn statement if intending to self-describe as not male or female.

Mr Patton cited the allegations raised in the Herald Sun that some were making false gender statements in the force’s HR Assist workplace program.

“I take those allegations very seriously. This matter has been referred to professional standards command for investigation,” Mr Patton said.

“Conduct of this sort, if validated, is not acceptable and falls far short of the standards I expect from Victoria Police members and standards of behaviour outlined in our code of conduct and Victoria Police values:”

Victorian Police Commissioner Shane Patton says he takes the allegations very seriously. Picture: David Caird

Mr Patton said the ability to self-describe was put in place three years ago as an act of good faith to support gender diverse employees.

“This behaviour has had a significant impact on our gender diverse employees and our reputation amongst the Victorian LGBTIQ+ community. If validated, I will find it very disappointing that those employees have engaged in such conduct, exploiting an entitlement for those who identify as gender diverse,” the circular said.

The force has consulted with its own Pride Network and Trans and Gender Diverse Employee Network in putting together a new guideline which will mean any allowance will be paid for an employee’s “gender expression rather than gender identity”.

It is expected that can be achieved by signing a statutory declaration or some other legal document.

“It is vitally important that Victoria Police understands and supports organisational diversity as we continue our efforts to build confidence in policing within the Victorian LGBTIQ+ community. Victoria Police acknowledges the strength we gain as an organisation by embracing and valuing the diversity that our LGBTIQ+ colleagues bring to our organisation,” Mr Patton said.

The Victoria Police non-uniform allowance is $1200 for women than for men.

On the most recent available figures, one new police employee a day was self-nominating as non-binary in the force’s human relations system.

It was initially suggested that the issue was confined to southern region but the rapid expansion in new gender neutral personnel indicates it has spread to other areas.

In the 12 months to May 31 this year, sworn members and a smaller number of police public servants were self-describing at a rate of one every four days.

But in the past month, that is running at one per day and there are now 138 non-binary employees overall.