Hunt is on to find Victoria’s next Police Chief Commissioner
Applications for Victoria’s most high-pressure job will close on Sunday as the Andrews Government seeks to replace the state’s top cop, Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.
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The search to find Victoria’s next top cop is heating up.
The Andrews Government will close applications on Sunday to replace the incumbent Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.
Those considered the front runners for one of the highest pressure jobs in the state are Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton and Emergency Management Commissioner for Victoria Andrew Crisp.
Mr Crisp is also a former policeman who rose to the rank of deputy commissioner.
And a smokey for the job who has sent the government his resume is a familiar name, Sir Ken Jones.
Mr Ashton, who leads an organisation of 20,000 staff, is set to retire at the expiry of his contract in June after five years as chief commissioner.
But he has also offered to continue in the role to see the COVID-19 crisis through.
It is unclear if the government want Mr Ashton to continue in the role beyond June.
Although Mr Patton and Sir Ken have flagged their intentions to be considered to become Victoria’s next chief commissioner, it is expected both interstate and other overseas candidates have put their names forward.
A panel commonly includes senior state government department heads and a senior police officer from another jurisdiction and someone who has run a large organisation.
In the past the top candidates are interviewed by the premier and police minister.
Usually between a dozen and 20 applications are reviewed.
A former senior policeman, who wanted to remain anonymous, told the Herald Sun the government generally looked for a police chief who was ‘’steady and reliable’’ who could avoid adverse media.
But he said the current environment may require someone more dynamic.
During his shortlisting for the chief commissioner’s job on three occasions the key topics raised changed, he said.
“There could be more applicants this year because it’s a little bit more of an open field,’’ he said.
He said the COVID-19 crisis had reinforced the importance of having “high-calibre bureaucrats’’ in critical positions.
“It’s always been a sworn police member in the past,’’ he said.
“You have to be reliable and do a good job. But now the landscape is more unpredictable, which is the impact of this virus.’’
“Chief commissioners these days are going to have to be fast on their feet. They are going to have to be quick thinkers and be good with
other agencies.’’
Among the many hats chief commissioners must wear, he said it was critical they understood the politics.
He said AFP candidates, who rise through the ranks in a federal environment, were very capable in this area.
“The AFP applicants have been popular for these jobs because they’re reliable,’’ he said.
But he said former chief commissioner Ken Lay, who was a career Victoria Police officer, was among the safest hands to have been
chosen for the role.
“Ken Lay was fantastic in winning the hearts and minds of the community,‘’ he said.
“He was the Mother Teresa of policing,’’ he said.
The 23rd Victorian chief commissioner job comes with perks.
They are paid more than $400,000 a year and are allocated an armed officer who doubles as a driver.