Ousted deputy police commissioner files corruption complaint against Victorian Premier

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has been engulfed in a worsening crisis over her management of police command, after an ousted deputy police commissioner filed a complaint against her to the state’s anti-corruption agency.

Ousted Victorian Police deputy commissioner Neil Paterson has filed an IBAC complaint against the state government. Picture: Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire

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Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has been engulfed in a worsening crisis over her management of police command, after an ousted deputy commissioner filed a complaint against her to the state’s anti-corruption agency.

Neil Paterson lodged a complaint with the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission alleging Ms Allan, Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremi Moule and current acting police chief commissioner Rick Nugent “conspired’’ to dump him and former chief commissioner Shane Patton, The Herald Sun reported.

Mr Paterson alleged this was because he and Mr Patton gave “frank and fearless’’ advice to the Victorian Labor government that went against its crime policy agenda.

When the government chose not to renew Mr Patton’s contract as chief commissioner in February, Ms Allan attributed the decision to an overwhelming vote of no confidence in Mr Patton by police union members, which she said “simply couldn’t be ignored”.

Just days later, Mr Paterson was also informed his contract would not be renewed.

However, Mr Paterson reportedly alleged in his complaint the government approached Mr Nugent about taking on the chief commissioner role weeks before the vote of no confidence.

“I also hold the firm view that in those discussions Rick Nugent agreed that he would return, but on the condition that I was not one of his deputy commissioners,” Mr Paterson said.

“The actions by government of not renewing my appointment are clearly infected by retribution.

“I believe the actions of the Premier Jacinta Allan, the Minister for Police Anthony Carbines, the secretary DPC Jeremi Moule and Rick Nugent amount to a significant breach of public trust and indeed amount to corruption and misconduct in public office.”

Ms Allan denied the allegations, which she said were “completely untrue”.

She said the government had not contacted Mr Nugent about stepping into the role prior to the weekend of 15 and 16 February, which followed the vote of no ­confidence.

“I am disappointed that people are seeking to politicise IBAC and the important work they do by making these baseless allegations,” Ms Allan said.

“My focus is always on supporting the hard working men and women of Victoria Police, and passing our tough new bail laws this week.”

Mr Carbines also denied the allegations, as did Mr Nugent.

“There was absolutely no discussion between myself and government about me stepping into the acting chief commissioner role prior to the weekend of 15-16 February,” Mr Nugent said.

“This was after the vote of no confidence result on 14 February.

“There was no condition Deputy Commissioner Paterson be removed for me to return to Victoria Police.”

An IBAC spokesperson said that as a matter of practice, IBAC did not comment on whether it had a complaint or investigation before it.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin said having corruption allegations made against it had become a “habit” of the Labor government.

“This government has had more IBAC investigations than I’ve probably had breakfasts in the past 12 months,” he said.

“They continuously end up in investigations for corruption here in this state.”

Opposition police spokesperson David Southwick said Mr Paterson and Mr Patton had been “booted” by the government because they had provided frank and fearless advice that didn’t suit the government’s crime agenda.

“Ultimately, they paid the price,” he said.

“What appears to have happened … is a scheme to get rid of the commissioner and the deputy commissioner and providing somebody to replace them that would be potentially be more likely to agree with the government.

“We shouldn’t have the government working hand in glove with command. Victoria Police need to have their independence.”