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  • 21 Aug, 2019

  • By, Wikipedia

Chief Commissioner Of Victoria Police

The chief commissioner of the Victoria Police is the highest-ranking police officer in the Australian state of Victoria. The chief commissioner serves as the primary liaison between Victoria Police, government agencies, and relevant government ministers, and is appointed by the governor of Victoria.

The 1853 Police Regulation Act established the role of chief commissioner, which was first held by Sir William Mitchell. The chief commissioner acts as the chief executive officer and chief constable of Victoria Police, and reports to the minister for police. Under the Victoria Police Act 2013, the chief commissioner has to implement relevant policy and law of the government within the police force, advising and informing the police minister on the operations of the police force, and is responsible for general conduct, performance and operations of Victoria Police. The role is supported by a number of departments, each led by a deputy commissioner responsible for the following areas: regional operations, specialist operations, public safety and security, and capability. The candidate for the role is typically chosen on the advice of the sitting premier of Victoria. The chief commissioner can be appointed for a maximum term of five years and may be reappointed after their five year term expires.

Victoria Police may, in some circumstances, have an acting chief commissioner in place when a chief commissioner has retired and a permanent replacement is being sought. The longest-serving chief commissioner was Frederick Standish, who served from 3 September 1858 to 1 October 1880 for a total term of 22 years and 28 days. The shortest-serving chief commissioner was the inaugural holder of the office, Sir William Mitchell, who served from 3 January 1853 to 24 January 1854 for a total term of 1 year and 21 days in office. The only woman to hold the office was Christine Nixon. She was also Australia's first female police commissioner. The current chief commissioner, Shane Patton, assumed office on 27 June 2020.

List of chief commissioners

List of chief commissioners of the Victoria Police from 1853 – till date.
No. Portrait Name Term began Term ended Time in office Notes
1
Portrait of Sir William Mitchell
Sir William Mitchell 3 January 1853 24 January 1854 1 year, 21 days
2
Portrait of Sir Charles MacMahon
Sir Charles MacMahon 15 February 1854 17 July 1858 4 years, 152 days
3
Portrait of Frederick Standish
Frederick Standish 3 September 1858 1 October 1880 22 years, 28 days
4
Portrait of Hussey Chomley
Hussey Chomley 6 March 1882 27 March 1902 20 years, 21 days
5
Portrait of Thomas O'Callaghan
Thomas O'Callaghan 1 April 1902 31 March 1913 10 years, 364 days
6
Portrait of Alfred Sainsbury
Alfred Sainsbury
JP
1 April 1913 28 February 1919 5 years, 333 days
7
Portrait of Sir George Steward
Sir George Steward
KBE CMG VD JP
1 March 1919 11 May 1920 1 year, 71 days
8
Portrait of Sir John Gellibrand
Sir John Gellibrand
KCB DSO & Bar
1 September 1920 7 February 1922 1 year, 159 days
9
Portrait of Alexander Nicholson
Alexander Nicholson 8 February 1922 10 August 1925 3 years, 183 days
10
Portrait of Sir Thomas Blamey
Sir Thomas Blamey
GBE KCB CMG DSO ED
1 September 1925 9 July 1936 10 years, 312 days
11
Portrait of Alexander Duncan
Alexander Duncan
CMG
14 February 1937 30 December 1954 17 years, 319 days
12
Portrait of Selwyn Porter
Selwyn Porter
CBE DSO LVO ED
1 January 1955 9 October 1963 8 years, 281 days
13
Portrait of Rupert Arnold
Rupert Arnold
CBE QPM JP
15 October 1963 1 February 1969 5 years, 109 days
14 Noel Wilby
LVO QPM
1 February 1969 5 October 1971 2 years, 246 days
15 Reginald Jackson
CMG LVO QPM JP
12 October 1971 12 June 1977 5 years, 243 days
16 Mick Miller
AO LVO QPM
13 June 1977 28 November 1987 10 years, 168 days
17 Kel Glare
AO APM
29 November 1987 28 November 1992 4 years, 365 days
18
Portrait of Neil Comrie
Neil Comrie
AO APM
4 January 1993 9 March 2001 8 years, 64 days
19
Portrait of Christine Nixon
Christine Nixon
AO APM
23 April 2001 27 February 2009 7 years, 310 days
20
Portrait of Simon Overland
Simon Overland
APM
2 March 2009 16 June 2011 2 years, 106 days
21 Ken Lay
AO APM
14 November 2011 31 January 2015 3 years, 78 days
22 Graham Ashton
AM APM
1 July 2015 26 June 2020 4 years, 361 days
23
Portrait of Shane Patton
Shane Patton
APM
27 June 2020 Incumbent 3 years, 352 days