The Victorian Premier, Jacinta Allan, has dismissed claims that the state’s police force is in disarray following the announcement by Acting Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent that he will not be pursuing the permanent position after only 41 days on the job. Nugent cited the demanding nature of the role and his desire to pursue other passions as reasons for his decision. He also denied reports suggesting that a conflict of interest related to his previous role as Deputy Commissioner, which was under investigation by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (Ibac), had influenced his decision. Nugent assured that he will continue to work with the government to determine the duration of his stay in the acting role and expressed appreciation for the tireless efforts of Victoria Police. Despite this, there has been a change in leadership at the top, with the government also terminating the contract of Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson. This uncertainty comes at a time when Victoria is experiencing its highest crime rate in nearly a decade, driven by economic pressures, family violence, and a small group of youth offenders. Premier Allan maintains that these departures are not causing chaos and emphasizes the importance of respecting the personal decisions of police officers. The federal Coalition’s Peter Dutton has criticized the state government, stating that Nugent’s decision is indicative of the government facing significant challenges, positioning Victoria as a crucial state in the upcoming federal election, where the Coalition aims to exploit the unpopularity of the long-standing Labor government.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/02/rick-nugent-victoria-acting-police-commissioner-steps-down-peter-dutton-jacinta-allan-victoria-ntwnfb