Victoria Police facing IBAC probe over anti-Semitism crisis

Victoria Police may be probed by the anti-corruption watchdog over allegations it failed to crack down on the dangerous rise of anti-Semitism in the state.

Victoria Police is facing an IBAC probe over allegations it has allowed the dangerous rise of anti-Semitism in the state.

The Sunday Herald Sun can reveal Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog is considering a complaint over “systemic failures of Victoria Police” to crack down on anti-Semitism.

It comes as Victoria Police officers prepare to vote on a no-confidence motion against Chief Commissioner Shane Patton amid concerns over surging crime, police vacancies and a reduction in services.

The 11-page IBAC complaint – lodged with the agency last month by Jewish community member and campaigner Menachem Vorcheimer and seen by the Sunday Herald Sun – alleges “Victoria Police’s failure to utilise existing laws has resulted in the normalisation of anti-Semitism in Victoria”.

“Victoria and Australia are in the midst of an anti-Semitism crisis that has morphed into domestic terrorism. Unchecked, murder could follow,” it said.

“The normalisation of anti-Semitism in Victoria and Australia, culminating in the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue, can be traced to the complaints contained herein.”

The Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne at Ripponlea was firebombed last December.

Three arsonists are believed to be involved in the firebombing of the Ripponlea synagogue, which marked a dramatic escalation in anti-­Semitic tensions over the ongoing war in the Middle East.

But Chief Commissioner Patton remained adamant there was “absolutely no place” in Victoria for anti-Semitism and hate-based behaviour.

“We … will always treat reports of such crime seriously,” Patton said.

The IBAC complaint claims the attack could have been prevented if multiple complaints about Victoria Police’s failure to crack down on anti-Semitism had been taken seriously.

“Victoria Police’s failures represent an abandonment of core law enforcement principles, including the ‘theory of broken windows’ – that by policing minor crimes and adopting a ‘zero tolerance’ approach, you create an environment of order and lawfulness, thereby preventing more serious criminal offences,” it said.

“Victoria Police have at their disposal significant laws to ­address the conduct in question but have consistently failed to utilise them.”

Shane Patton said there was “absolutely no place” in Victoria for anti-Semitism. Picture: Nadir Kinani

Concerns have also been raised with Premier Jacinta Allan and Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny, who have been asked to intervene to ask the parliament’s integrity oversight committee to ensure IBAC is adequately dealing with the complaint.

“This is necessary, as the normalisation of anti-Semitism in Victoria, culminating in the terrorist attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue, did not evolve from an absence of laws, rather systemic failures by Victoria Police to enforce the existing laws,” a letter to Ms Allan said.

Mr Morcheimer has launched multiple cases alleging inaction on anti-Semitism.

Since its introduction in 2001, Victoria’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, which requires the written consent of the Director of Public Prosecutions before prosecutions can begin, has been rarely used.