By Andrea Petrie
ABOUT 2000 police have called on Chief Commissioner Christine Nixon and Police Minister Bob Cameron to resign or face industrial action over resource shortages and changes aimed at tightening the laws governing police.
The protesting police attended a rally at Rod Laver Arena yesterday before embattled union secretary Paul Mullett led them on a march to Parliament House — the first time that Victoria's police union has taken its fight straight to Spring Street. The vocal gathering was unanimous in its support for better resourcing to help improve community safety.
The officers voted to stop what Mr Mullett called "draconian measures", which include the inappropriate associations register, which makes police disclose family or friends who have engaged in criminal activities.
The changes will also give extra powers to the Office of Police Integrity.
The protesters unanimously backed calls for Ms Nixon and Mr Cameron to resign. They also gave Premier John Brumby a deadline of this Friday to dismiss the pair if they refused to step down.
They demanded Mr Brumby meet Police Association representatives this week to look at their concerns, threatening that industrial action would be launched if he refused.
"The police are not an underclass owned by the government of the day or individuals such as the chief commissioner or deputy … who don't have a clue about what each of you have to do," Mr Mullett said.
His presence at the rally was his most significant public appearance since he gave evidence at an OPI hearing last November into alleged police corruption.
He was later suspended from duty and could face criminal charges.
Mr Mullett yesterday accused the Brumby Government of becoming arrogant like the previous Kennett Liberal government had before it lost office in 1999.
"The Police Association changed the power of government in 1999. John Brumby, in the year 2010, we're prepared to do the same," he said.
But Mr Brumby yesterday expressed his "absolute confidence" in Ms Nixon and Mr Cameron and defended the legal reforms.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe said most of the union's concerns had already been resolved.
Mr Walshe said Mr Mullett was using the protest to secure his position with the police union during difficult times.