‘Completely untrue’: Premier denies conspiracy to dump police chiefs

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A source with knowledge of Patton and Paterson’s departures, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said those inside Victoria Police believe Allan and Nugent had formed a strong working relationship during his time as emergency management commissioner.

They said normally in the absence of a chief commissioner one of the three deputies would have taken on the role in an acting capacity. But bringing Nugent in, which also meant finding someone to replace him in his role at EMV, spoke to a long-term plan to keep him in the job.

On Wednesday morning, Nugent labelled the allegations “completely untrue”.

“There was absolutely no discussion between myself and government about me stepping into the acting chief commissioner role prior to the weekend of 15-16 February,” Nugent said in a statement.

“This was after the vote of no-confidence result on 14 February. There was no condition Deputy Commissioner Paterson be removed for me to return to Victoria Police. I look forward to assisting IBAC and the Ombudsman to resolve this matter.”

Allan said the allegations were a disappointing politicisation of corruption agencies.

However, she did not answer questions about whether Paterson had provided too much frank and fearless advice, whether the change in police leadership had been poorly handled by government, whether Paterson’s complaints were raised at the time, or if government had ever previously communicated that Paterson would not be reappointed.

She did confirm that Department of Premier and Cabinet secretary Jeremy Moule contacted Nugent on the weekend of February 15 and 16, but was unaware which day.

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At the time Paterson left Victoria Police, he highlighted the commitment he and Patton had given to their jobs.

“Like … Patton, Victoria Police is an organisation that I too have committed my life to and one that I have the utmost pride in,” Paterson said in the email.

“I have been committed to serving the Victorian community for over 37 years, by detecting and apprehending offenders, supporting victims and helping those in need of assistance. That’s the reason I and every other police officer joins policing and turns up every day.”

Paterson was himself referred to the anti-corruption commission by Victoria Police last year after a formal complaint from Haileybury college about an alleged road-rage incident at a school pick-up in July.

It was alleged the then-deputy commissioner misused his position and authority during a verbal altercation with a school parent. The parent alleged Paterson, who was out of uniform and driving an unmarked car, was threatening and intimidating.

The parent was later charged and fined for failing to obey a traffic direction.

Paterson defended his conduct, telling The Age at the time it was the parent who was agitated and that he acted professionally throughout.

IBAC has been approached for comment.

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