Uncertainty mounts over Shane Patton's role as Victoria Police Chief Commissioner after no-confidence vote

ABC NEWS (Australia)

Victoria's police chief returns to work tomorrow as speculation mounts over whether he'll still be in the role by day's end. The premier and police minister have met to discuss Chief Commissioner Shane Patton's future, with a decision expected tomorrow. It comes as youth crime continues to cause anxiety in some local communities.

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00:00In Melbourne's Bayside suburbs, dozens took to the streets, demanding more action after

00:11a surge in youth crime.

00:12I came to the rally because we've been burgled three times in the last five years.

00:17You know, when you go to bed each night, you do worry about what's going to happen.

00:21People shouldn't have to live like that.

00:22The march led by local Liberal MP James Newbury.

00:26We deserve safer streets.

00:28We must have safer streets.

00:30As uncertainty continues over the face of Victoria's top cop.

00:33How can any Victorian feel safe when we're not even sure whether we have a police commissioner

00:38on Monday morning?

00:39I think there'll be a tenuous relationship between the chief commissioner and his workforce.

00:43I mean, frankly, I don't know how that goes.

00:46On Friday, police officers overwhelmingly voted to say they'd lost faith in Chief Commissioner

00:51Shane Patton's leadership amid protracted pay negotiations, low recruitment and retention

00:56and rising crime rates.

00:58I haven't minced their words.

00:59I mean, and it's not a personal attack.

01:01It's just a reality.

01:02Two days later, the government has yet to address reports his contract would no longer

01:06be renewed when his current term ends in June.

01:09I'm not about to make a running commentary on assertions that are made through the media.

01:15But it did acknowledge discussions over the chief commissioner's immediate future were

01:20underway.

01:21The premier and the minister for police are receiving briefings from the department secretaries

01:27this weekend.

01:28There will be more to be said by them tomorrow, so let's wait and see.

01:33If the government's made this decision about Shane Patton, then front the media today and

01:38tell us why and what's going to happen tomorrow and who's taking over.

01:41Regardless of what comes next, it's clear the state's bail laws and youth crime remain

01:47a concern, at least for some residents.

01:50The question is, would changing the chief commissioner improve crime rates and police

01:55morale?

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