Public trust in police ‘diminished’, says new top cop Rick Nugent

Victoria’s acting police chief Rick Nugent says his key priorities are strengthening bail laws, ending the ongoing pay dispute with union members, and enhancing community trust and safety.

Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent. Picture: David Geraghty/NewsWire

Trust and confidence in Victoria Police has “diminished” over the years, the state’s new police chief has declared in his first address to media since the abrupt departure of his predecessor Shane Patton.

Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent, who said he would apply for the top job permanently after his unexpected re-entry to the force, outlined strengthening the state’s bail laws, ending the ongoing pay dispute with union members, and enhancing community trust and safety as his key priorities.

After a devastating vote of no confidence for outgoing chief Mr Patton, Mr Nugent said he would not be drawn on how conversations between himself, Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines unfolded.

However, he lauded Mr Patton for his service to the force and revealed he had varied feelings on his departure.

Former chief commissioner Shane Patton. Picture: David Caird

“I want to thank him for 45 years of service and his commitment to this organisation,” Mr Nugent said.

“He genuinely cared about the organisation.”

Mr Nugent added he would not hesitate to have tough talks with the state government about key issues such as funding or matters where he and government leaders disagreed.

“Operational independence of Victoria Police is critical and I’ll fiercely protect our operational independence,” he said.

“I am confident we will have the funding we need to focus on community safety.

“We also need, as an organisation, to have the trust and confidence of the community and this has diminished in recent times.”

He attributed the loss of public trust and confidence in policing to the Covid-19 pandemic, adding the issue was not only specific to Victoria.

Victoria Police has also been under constant public pressure to find those responsible for torching the Adass Israel synagogue last year but no arrests have been made and a breakthrough has not been announced.

Mr Nugent said detectives would brief him in the coming days, with initial conversations leading him to believe progress had been made.

“I had a very brief discussion on this yesterday and I’ve got a full briefing (incoming) in the coming days,” he said.

“My understanding is that it’s progressing. They have some very good detectives working on that case, so I’ll know more in the coming days.”

Mr Nugent said anti-Semitism in the community will be an issue he would closely monitor during his time in the top job.

“We cannot have that sort of behaviour, that hatred existing in society here in Victoria.”