Patton to lead police

Editorial: Danielle Ford and Jesse Wray-McCann

Photography: John Pallot

Victoria Police has found a new Chief Commissioner in one of its own. Shane Patton was announced as the organisation’s new Chief Commissioner and stepped into the top job on 27 June, following the retirement of former Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton.

Joining the force as a police cadet in 1978, CCP Patton has had an impressive and varied career, rising through the ranks to take on crucial roles in Victoria Police’s Executive Command.

With more than 40 years’ experience across the full spectrum of policing, including general duties, prosecutions, investigations, education and training, the career police officer has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon as he leads the organisation for the next five years.

“I understand there are so many demands on police officers because I’ve been privileged to have grown up as one,” CCP Patton said.

Having been exposed to so many roles in the job, it gives me a really good understanding of their experiences and what they’re going through.

“It is an absolute honour for me to be selected as the new Chief Commissioner and I will do the best I possibly can to lead this organisation and our amazing officers and staff.”

Prior to commencing the Chief Commissioner role, CCP Patton served for five years as a Deputy Commissioner, overseeing several crucial initiatives during this time.

He introduced the force’s hostile vehicle policy following the 2017 Bourke Street attack, allowing police to take direct action if they suspect a driver may use a vehicle as a weapon.

He also led the rollout of firearm prohibition orders aimed at reducing gun crime and oversaw the creation of Victoria Police’s Counter Terrorism Command.

With more than 40 years’ experience across the full spectrum of policing, Victoria Police’s new Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has a wealth of knowledge to draw upon to lead the organisation.

Most recently, CCP Patton was the State Police Commander for the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, overseeing all aspects of Victoria Police’s response. Full details of the response are detailed on pages 14-21 in this edition.

Looking forward, CCP Patton said a key focus during his time as Chief Commissioner will be to continue and strengthen the organisation’s relationship and engagement with the community.

“We are and always will be about engaging with our community,” he said.

“We work with the community and we are a part of the community because, without their consent and their trust, we can’t do our job.”

Upon starting his term, CCP Patton thanked retired Chief Commissioner Ashton and acknowledged the huge impact his predecessor had made, particularly in the creation and rollout of the organisation’s modernisation program.

“I’ve been a part of a very tightknit, cohesive Executive Command team that has been extremely well led by Mr Ashton,” CCP Patton said.

“He set us on a modernisation pathway, which has positioned us to now reap the benefits of that pathway and take policing to the next step.”

Prior to his retirement, Mr Ashton reflected on his time as Chief Commissioner and spoke about what’s next. Read this story on pages 11-13.

The next edition of Police Life will include an extended feature on CCP Patton, further covering his decorated career and the vision he has for Victoria Police.

For the latest police news visit police.vic.gov.au/news