Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson will exit Victoria Police in July after being told his contract would not be renewed. It comes less than a week after the chief commissioner's abrupt departure following tensions with government. Former emergency services commissioner Rick Nugent is serving as chief commissioner until a permanent replacement is chosen.
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TVTranscript
00:00There's a polite way to put the shake-up underway in the executive branch of Victoria Police.
00:08It is absolutely clear that we are entering a period of transition for Victoria Police.
00:14That transition began on Sunday when former Commissioner Shane Patton resigned following
00:19a no-confidence vote from police union members, with the government then installing Rick Nugent
00:25as Acting Police Chief, first on his agenda, telling Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson
00:30the government won't renew his contract.
00:34When asked if there were more changes at the top to come, the Premier wouldn't be drawn.
00:39That is unnecessary, an unnecessary hypothetical piece of speculation.
00:45Mr Paterson was in the force for 37 years, rising to Deputy Commissioner in 2020.
00:51Last year he was referred to the state's anti-corruption watchdog over an incident
00:56during school pick-up at a CBD college.
00:59He strongly defended his conduct, and he hasn't left the force quietly.
01:04In an email to colleagues, he said with crime at record high levels, police have never arrested
01:09more people or helped more victims, but that policing is only part of the justice system,
01:16which to be effective requires strong legislation and appropriate accountability in the courts.
01:23I mean let's look at it, we've got police catching the crooks, but these crooks are
01:27being let out back on the streets again because of our soft bail laws and the government not
01:32being able to do their job.
01:33Bail laws are currently under review again after changes were brought in last year.
01:38The Law Institute of Victoria says another look is welcome, but needs to be evidence-based.
01:44What we don't want is to go backwards to a system which was disproportionately affecting
01:49young people, other vulnerable people in the community and women.
01:54Acting Commissioner Nugent thanked Mr Paterson for his service.