The turmoil in the upper echelons of one of the country’s biggest police forces continues after its acting chief commissioner quit.
Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent has reportedly told the state Labor government he wants out as soon as possible.
His decision comes after Mr Nugent was in March accused – along with Premier Jacinta Allan, Police Minister Anthony Carbines, and department secretary Jeremi Moule – of “corruption and misconduct”.
Victoria’s former deputy police commissioner Neil Paterson made the accusations and asked the state’s anti-corruption commission to investigate.
Ms Allan last month dismissed his allegations, saying Mr Paterson was politicising the role of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.
Mr Nugent rejected the allegations as completely untrue.
Mr Paterson’s allegations revolve around how and when the government approached Mr Nugent to take on the police chief role previously held by Shane Patton.
He has claimed this happened weeks before a no confidence vote by rank and file officers.
“There was absolutely no discussion between myself and the government about me stepping into the acting chief commissioner role prior to the weekend of 15-16 February,” Mr Nugent said at the time.
“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,” Mr Nugent added.
Mr Nugent took up the role of acting chief commissioner in February.
The government has been contacted for comment.
https://thewest.com.au/politics/law-and-order/leadership-shock-continues-for-major-state-police-force-c-18236019
