Chief Commissioner Shane Patton APM
Shane Patton commenced his appointment as the 23rd Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police on 27th June 2020.
Shane is a career police officer, joining Victoria Police as a cadet. Policing has seen him work across a diverse range of areas, including:
- front line policing
- criminal investigations
- internal investigations
- criminal prosecutions
- traffic and public transport safety
- training and education
- counter-terrorism.
As the Chief Commissioner of Police, he now leads an organisation of over 22,000 employees providing policing services to the Victorian community.
In June 2015, Shane was appointed Deputy Commissioner – Specialist Operations with responsibility for:
- Crime Command
- Road Policing Command
- Forensic Services Department
- Intelligence & Covert Support Command
- Legal Services Department.
In this role, he oversaw the creation of Counter Terrorism Command incorporating a unit monitoring radicalised persons of interest. As Deputy Commissioner – Specialist Operations, he was the Victorian representative on the Australia-New Zealand Counter-Terrorism Committee (ANZCTC) and National Chair of the ANZCTC Crowded Places Advisory Group.
Shane was the State Police Commander for several significant Counter-Terrorism operations in Victoria, including the successful disruption of planned attacks during Anzac Day ceremonies and on Federation Square.
In November 2018, Shane commenced as Deputy Commissioner – Regional Operations with responsibility for the four Victoria Police Regions, as well as:
- Transit and Public Safety Command
- State Emergencies and Support Command
- Family Violence Command.
As Deputy Commissioner – Regional Operations, Shane was responsible for the visible policing presence in our community; from the local police station to protective service officers on the public transport networks.
Performing the role of Chief of Staff to two Chief Commissioners, Shane was responsible for providing high-level policy advice to the Chief Commissioner, liaising with government and the Minister for Police.
Shane’s experience working in emergency management resulted in significant updates to the emergency management response protocols of Victoria Police and reforms of the Victorian emergency management sector. He was the State Emergency Response Coordinator during the Hazelwood Mine Fires and other significant emergencies.
In 2019 –2020, Shane led the Victoria Police response to the summer campaign bushfires and the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic.
Shane holds tertiary qualifications including:
- a Master of Public Policy and Administration
- Graduate Diploma in Public Administration (Policing)
- Graduate Certificate in Applied Management
- several business-related Diplomas and Certificates.
He is currently undertaking a Law Degree. In 2015, Shane was awarded the Australian Police Medal. He is a ‘Williamson Fellow’ (Williamson Community Leadership Program 2007), an ANZSOG (Australia and New Zealand School of Government) and LinCT (Leadership in Counter-Terrorism program) alumni and is a former member of the Victorian Sentencing Advisory Council and Coronial Council of Victoria.
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