Dozens of police could be sacked for turning down Covid jab
Dozens of Victoria Police officers and PSOs have been stood down and now risk losing their jobs because they won’t get a Covid vaccine.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Dozens of Victoria Police officers and protective service officers (PSOs) could be sacked for refusing to get vaccinated, police say.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman on Monday confirmed 34 police officers and nine PSOs have been stood down while being referred to the Professional Standards Command for refusing to receive a Covid vaccine under industry-wide mandates enforced by chief health officer Brett Sutton.
The spokeswoman said the officers will face disciplinary action over their refusal of the vaccine, which could include being terminated altogether.
She said: “Exemptions from having the mandatory vaccine will only apply if an employee is unable to be vaccinated due to a medical issue, as described in the CHO’s Mandatory Vaccination (Workers) Direction.”
“These officers have currently been stood down and directed to take accrued (recreational or long service) leave.”
It is believed Chief Commissioner Shane Patton also directed officers to comply with the mandate, which has been enforced across Victoria’s healthcare, aged care, construction and education sectors.
The disciplinary action follows the public resignation of a senior Victoria Police officer who quit the force after revealing on an internet show she founded a group of about 200 officers who were against mandatory vaccinations.
Acting Senior Sergeant Krystle Mitchell was a sworn officer for 16 years before she appeared on internet program The Discernible Interviews to lash Victoria Police for enforcing the jab mandates.
“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,” Sgt Mitchell said.
Victoria Police distanced themselves from Sgt Mitchell’s claims, saying her comments did not represent the force.
‘I’m being chased’: Terrifying moments before AFL star’s car wrecked
Dashcam footage has captured the shocking lead-up to the crash that flipped former Hawthorn star Jordan Lewis’ luxury vehicle — showing the car that hit him in a wild high-speed pursuit just moments earlier.
No confidence vote looms against state’s top cop
Senior police have fired a major shot in the ongoing war with force command with members set to vote on a no confidence motion against Shane Patton, who is set to be handed a second term as chief commissioner.