Second top cop ousted: No contract renewal for deputy commissioner

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson has been informed his contract will not be renewed, the second top cop to be ousted in a week.

In an email sent to staff on Thursday afternoon, Paterson said that Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent had told him the Victorian government would not renew his contract when it expires in July.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson.Credit: AAP

The email comes a week after Victoria Police was plunged into a leadership crisis through the publication of a bruising no-confidence vote by 87 per cent of rank-and-file officers. On Sunday, former chief commissioner Shane Patton released his resignation statement.

“Like … Patton, Victoria Police is an organisation that I too have committed my life to and one that I have the utmost pride in,” Paterson said in the email.

“I have been committed to serving the Victorian community for over 37 years, by detecting and apprehending offenders, supporting victims and helping those in need of assistance. That’s the reason I and every other police officer joins policing and turns up every day.”

Paterson also thanked his husband and children for their support throughout his career, noting they had only ever known him as a police officer.

Premier Jacinta Allan refused to discuss details when asked whether it was the government or the acting commissioner’s decision not to renew Paterson’s contract.

She said it was an “unnecessary hypothetical piece of speculation” whether any other deputy commissioners would not have their contracts renewed.

Paterson was promoted to police command in 2020. In his email to staff, he said command had worked hard to improve the mental health of employees, which had been a personal passion of his.

He also acknowledged that people in the community did not feel safe.

“This past year has seen a significant rise in crime to record high levels. Our hard-working police officers have never arrested more people or helped more victims, a very sad reality,” he wrote.

“Policing is only a part of the justice system, and in effect, the justice system requires strong legislation and appropriate accountability in the courts.

“Police own the piece in the middle; they enforce the legislation provided by governments and front offenders before the court.”

Paterson has been responsible for the force’s regional operations portfolio, which covers policing across all metropolitan and regional divisions.

He joined Victoria Police in 1988 and later worked as chief of staff for then-chief commissioner Graham Ashton from 2015.

He has also more recently been recognised for his work in developing a more inclusive workforce for LGBTQ members.

Last year it was revealed Paterson was being investigated by the state’s anti-corruption commission over a road rage incident during school pick-up at Haileybury College on July 24, which was witnessed by parents, teachers and students outside the school’s city campus.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission confirmed it was investigating whether the deputy commissioner misused his position and authority during a verbal altercation and subsequent correspondence with a school parent.

Paterson defended his conduct, and told The Age at the time it was the parent who was agitated, and that he acted professionally throughout.

Paterson has taken immediate leave and will finish up with Victoria Police in July.

In a statement, Nugent thanked Paterson for his 37 years of service to Victoria Police.

He said the deputy commissioner had been a strong advocate of many issues and dedicated much of his life to policing.

Allan also acknowledged and thanked Paterson for his “significant period of dedicated service”.

“It is absolutely clear that we are entering a period of transition for Victoria Police, and we’ll continue to work and support the Victoria Police, as we have done, in providing them with the tools and the resources and the powers and the support they need that they do in turn to keep our community safe.”

Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said Paterson’s ousting demonstrated the government had continued the blame game for rising crime.

“The Allan Labor government is using some of Victoria Police’s most senior and experienced executive officers as scapegoats for the crime crisis their own mismanagement has created,” he said.

“This worsening leadership crisis will do nothing to reopen the 43 stations closed across the state; fill the 1000 frontline vacancies; end Labor’s cycle of offend, arrest, bail, repeat; or equip police with the powers they need to keep Victorians safe.”

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