No-confidence vote begins against Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton

Police have begun voting on a no-confidence motion against Chief Commissioner Shane Patton in a bid to force a recruitment campaign for his job instead of handing him a second term.

Police have begun voting on a potentially damning no confidence motion against Chief Commissioner Shane Patton, as faith in the force from the Victorian public plummets.

An estimated 18,000 members were on Wednesday sent links to vote in the poll which closes at 4pm Friday, but the Chief Commissioner does have support in some quarters.

It comes after the police union’s 70 delegates unanimously voted to put the motion to members, citing surging crime, police vacancies and a reduction in services as critical concerns.

“The members of Victoria Police have serious concerns about the capacity of the Chief Commissioner of Police to manage and lead Victoria Police and as such, express no confidence in the CCP going forward,” the motion states.

“This delegate meeting accordingly calls on the Board of TPAV (The Police Association of Victoria) to gauge members’ sentiment, and its confidence in the Chief Commissioner of Police to lead and manage Victoria Police and its members in the future.”

The police union’s 70 delegates unanimously voted to put a no-confidence motion in chief commissioner Shane Patton to a vote. Picture: Sarah Matray

It is hoped the motion will force the government to run a recruitment campaign for Mr Patton’s job Picture: Nadir Kinani

Union sources said if successful, it was hoped the motion would force the government to run a recruitment campaign for Mr Patton’s job rather than simply extend his contract.

Last week Police Minister Anthony Carbines said it was unlikely the government would re advertise for the position, saying he had full confidence in Mr Patton.

Last year public satisfaction and confidence in Victoria Police plummeted to its lowest levels since records began.

Just 58 per cent of those surveyed said they were “satisfied with policing services”, a massive fall from 73.1 per cent from the year before.

The same figure – just 58 per cent of Victorians – agreed they had “confidence in police”, a drop of 17 per cent from the 2022-23 high of 75 per cent.

The chief commissioner, however, does have support.

Among them is Superintendent Wayne Cheesman, who has criticised TPAV’s handling of the EBA while defending Mr Patton.

In an email to his troops in eight police stations across Melbourne’s north, Supt Cheesman said it was unfair Mr Patton was being “targeted’’ by TPAV.

“Firstly, Shane is a decent man and I think it is unfair that he has been the subject of ongoing targeting by TPAV,’’ Supt Cheesman wrote.

“This occurred throughout the whole EBA campaign with relentless attacks on him, yet I have never seen Shane respond to that level against TPAV.’’

Supt Cheesman, who has worked closely with Mr Patton, said the chief commissioner constantly advocated on issues impacting the force and its members.

`”Think of things like advocating for bail reform, public drunkenness, criminal association and other legislative reform, age of criminal responsibility, IT reform,” he wrote.

Supt Cheesman said several issues Mr Patton was being blamed for by TPAV, including retention of police members, were nationwide trends.

Several senior police officers have echoed his sentiments to the Herald Sun.