Graham Ashton to step down as Chief Commissioner next month
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton will go ahead with plans to stand down from the role next month, despite offering to stay in the job until the coronavirus crisis stabilised.
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Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton will step down as the state’s top cop next month.
Mr Ashton announced his retirement last year but had offered to stay on for several months until the coronavirus crisis stabilised.
However the state government plans to push ahead with interviewing potential candidates for the job.
Mr Ashton will finish up on June 26.
Mr Ashton served in the role since 2015.
Police minister Lisa Neville said he leaves behind an enormous legacy and had shown great leadership during the bushfire crisis and coronavirus pandemic.
“(He) has achieved so much in progressing the causes of Victoria Police and should be immensely proud of the contribution he has made to Victoria,” she said.
“His leadership of the organisation has been exceptional, especially through the recent deeply tragic events of the loss of four Victoria Police members recently, the 2019/20 Victorian bushfires and during the coronavirus pandemic.
“I will have much more to say about the outstanding contribution Graham has made to Victoria Police and the wider Victorian community at the appropriate time.”
The recruitment for a new Chief Commissioner began earlier this year.
Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton is considered a frontrunner among other Victoria Police candidates.
Ms Neville said: “This extensive process is continuing and I’ll be better placed to provide an update soon.”