‘My time is precious to me’: Victoria Police acting chief commissioner won’t apply for top job

Victoria Police will have had three chief commissioners in a year after Rick Nugent’s shock decision to bow out of the race for the top job deepened the force’s leadership crisis.

Acting Chief Commissioner Nugent was widely considered a frontrunner to secure the job permanently after being handpicked by the state government to take it on in a temporary capacity just 41 days ago.

Rick Nugent announced on Wednesday he would pull out of the race for chief commissioner.Credit: Scott McNaughton

But Nugent said in a statement on Wednesday that after much consideration he had decided not to apply for the job, which pays about $750,000 annually and has a five-year term.

“This has been one of the most difficult decisions of my working life,” he said in a message to the police force.

“The job of chief commissioner demands an exceptional candidate. It requires the strongest capabilities and a commitment to go the distance.

“Always on, never off, for the full five-year term.

“I cannot say, hand on heart, that I have it in me to fulfil the duties of this office for the full five years.

“It is simple yet unavoidably true, life is short and there are other passions and opportunities that I wish to pursue.”

Nugent has endured a short but tumultuous tenure in the top job after moving across from his role as emergency management commissioner. He replaced former chief commissioner Shane Patton, who resigned after being told the government would not renew his contract in the face of an overwhelming vote of no confidence by rank and file officers.

The interim chief then informed Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson that Paterson would be out of a job when his contract expired, which spurred a complaint against the government to Victoria’s anti-corruption watchdog.

Nugent was also subject to a separate complaint to the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission about a decades-old allegation of “inappropriate conduct ­involving a conflict of interest”. Nugent has denied all allegations put to IBAC and said he looked forward to meeting with the watchdog to resolve the issues “as quickly as possible”.

In his time in the role, Nugent also helped oversee the introduction of the Allan government’s bail changes.

The instability in Victoria Police’s upper echelons has come as the state grapples with a crime crisis driven by repeat youth offenders.

Premier Jacinta Allan rejected claims on Wednesday that the force was in chaos.

“[Nugent has] been very upfront for his reason for reconsidering and deciding not to apply for the role,” she said. “It’s really important to remember there’s a person behind the uniform.”

Allan also disputed that her government had thrown Patton under a bus.

“We’ve worked very hard to provide support to the leadership of Victoria Police – worked with different chief commissioners and acting chief commissioners, and I’ll continue to support and respect the leadership of that organisation.”

Police Minister Anthony Carbines denied that the government’s relationship with police was strained or that the leadership issue would damage confidence within the force or the community.

“It’s a hard job, but it’s a vital and important job,” he said.

He said he was not disappointed with Nugent’s decision, despite the government having tapped Nugent for the job the day before Patton’s departure was announced. He also rejected that it was a mistake to move Patton from the role.

But Victorian Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Carbines had overseen an “absolute disaster”.

“Chaos starts at the top,” Battin said. “The Allan Labor government are solely responsible for what’s happening at Victoria Police,” he said, claiming the force was dealing with political interference and advice was ignored by the government.

“Why would any person want to apply for the role?”

Nugent has committed to staying on as acting chief commissioner as long as necessary. Applications for the permanent position close on Friday.

“I’ll work with the government on that as well. For me, [that] is absolutely what’s best for the community, but also the organisation,” he said.

Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said Nugent’s departure showed there were serious problems within the Victorian government.

“It’s a sign that the government is in real trouble, and the wheels are falling off,” Dutton told ABC Melbourne radio, suggesting Nugent had not been “encouraged to stick around”.

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