Mike Bush is under no illusion about the challenges that confront him as top cop after a leadership crisis in Australia’s second-largest police force.
The former New Zealand police commissioner officially took the reins of Victoria Police on Friday, ending a four-month saga among the force’s top ranks.
Restoring public trust in the troubled force and tackling the state’s exploding crime rate are among his initial priorities.
‘There’s too much crime,’ Mr Bush told reporters after a traditional Maori powhiri ceremony and an address to about 360 budding recruits at the state police academy in Glen Waverley.
‘There’s too much youth crime. Organised crime drives so much harm in our communities.
‘We’ve got to find a way to work with others to get ahead of it.’
A self-described outsider, Mr Bush comes to Victoria Police after a highly publicised leadership crisis.
An overwhelming no-confidence vote from officers after an 18-month pay dispute cost chief commissioner Shane Patton his job in February.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush spoke to members of the force during his first day at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne
Rick Nugent stepped in as acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent but withdrew from the race in April, citing a lack of drive.
Deputy police commissioner Neil Paterson, who was also shown the door, had earlier made a complaint to the corruption watchdog alleging ‘gross interference and politicisation of police function’ from senior figures.
The change at the top of the Victorian force comes after NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb recently announced her early retirement, although she has tipped one of the state’s own to replace her.
Flanked by Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Mr Bush vowed not to shirk from asking ‘hard questions’ of them.
‘Governments love that,’ he said.
‘Well the governments I’m used to and I’m sure this government (do) as well … that is part of my job.’
Mr Bush described putting the Victoria Police uniform on for the first time as ‘weird but great’ and revealed he recently caught up with Mr Patton, whom he had known and respected for many years.
‘We might have different ways of policing,’ the Kiwi said.
Machete attacks have been a problem in Victoria this year
Mike Bush (right) speaks to media alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan during his first day at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne on Friday
‘He shared his advice. I have my own from over 42 years.’
The police veteran joined the NZ police force in 1978 and led it from 2014 to 2020, with the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption among the biggest crises of his tenure.
Crime statistics show youth crime in Victoria at its highest point since 1993, when electronic data collection started.
The latest figures do not capture the impact of harsher bail laws rushed through parliament by the under-pressure Allan Labor government.
Police union boss Wayne Gatt said every police officer and community member in Victoria had a stake in Mr Bush’s success.
The incoming chief commissioner had a reputation as a leader who listened to officers and prioritised prevention as the greatest weapon against crime, Mr Gatt said.
‘We think that these virtues will be invaluable in the fight to win back Victoria,’ he said.
The Victorian opposition issued a list of 10 priorities for Mr Bush’s five-year tenure, including filling officer vacancies and speaking truth to power.
‘I hope chief commissioner Bush gets the chance to do that, but at the moment I have no confidence,’ Opposition Leader Brad Battin said.
Another round of proposed changes to bail laws is expected to be introduced to parliament as early as late July.
