There is a lot of faux bluster and wringing of hands over the use of the Police Chopper by the Chief Commissioner Mike Bush in recent times, his trip to Tasmania and now a flight from Avalon to the Victoria Police Centre (VPC).
It has now been reported that he allegedly took his wife on a flight and committed the most grievous sin of allegedly laughing about the brouhaha of the Tasmania flight.
In the scheme of things, these issues are nothing but white noise, but there is an underlying sinister overtone.
At worst, the Chiefs’ use of the aircraft could be argued as him having a ‘tin ear’.
The last accusation of using an aircraft to return from Avlon was perhaps expedient, and it matters little whether the Chief was in the back seat of his Car or the helicopter for the return. Both vehicles had to return to Melbourne.
The most serious issue that must attract the greatest focus is the report of the alleged laughing by the Chief Commissioner in a group about the Tasmanian flight.
There could be a million reasons for jocularity, but that of itself is incidental.
What is most egregious is that this was reported to the media, which can only be described as a bona fide undermining of his position.
The other airwing use could have been leaked by any number of people, but this latest alleged reaction could only reasonably have been done by his inner circle, indicating where all the leaks emanated.
It goes to the heart of the solidarity of the Command of VicPol and is very worrying, highlighting the difficulties that exist at that level in the Force.
There is obviously a rat in the ranks.
In an organisation where the average Police member would be hung, drawn and quartered for even a misspoken word to the media or anybody else outside the Force, but those in the upper echelons feel they have the right of free rein to attack the Chief.
The Herald Sun reported:
“Some police staff are understood to be fuming over the undeclared flights, with one describing his wife’s trip as nothing more than “a joy ride”.
“People are really annoyed he has misled them,” a source said.
“He is taking the public, and his staff, for fools … It’s about integrity.”
Sources also claimed that Mr Bush and a few of his colleagues had further upset staff by “laughing about Choppergate” since his apology on October 22.
They added that it was particularly galling at a time when positions were being reviewed as part of a force restructure.
“Everyone is really scared about their jobs,” they said.
To that statement, we add – the ‘Source and some Police staff ‘ ought to grow a backbone and talk to the Chief about their concerns, that would be integrity. But only after the Source has a chat with the psych unit about their insecurities.
Double standards cause poor leadership and management at any level.
The Chief underestimated the nature of the VicPol hierarchy by announcing his intent to streamline the upper command and release many staff and other managers from unnecessary Command Units, returning them to the frontline, where the priority lies.
The NIMBY (Not In My Back Yard) principle has been applied by incumbents being forewarned of the austerity target, and somebody or some people in these higher positions are so insecure that they see themselves as being part of the austerity target, so feel the need to discredit the Chief and, in turn, sabotage his intent.
As far as we are concerned, the person or persons responsible for the leaks should be the first to go. Fulfilling their own insecurities. Check their phones.
It makes one wonder whether the use of the Airwing was a decision by the Chief or whether he was receiving advice to set him up for criticism.
Perhaps his biggest failure was to underestimate the narcissism that is created by being part of the VicPol executive command, and that he must now be extremely diligent, as this latest issue may, in fact, be the start of an orchestrated campaign to discredit him.
Most danger will come from those who have worked hard to be close and gain his trust.
Ironically, a trust not reciprocated.
There is over 1100 sworn police officers doing clerical work within Vic Pol (Vic Pol Police members distribution document) In general, for far too long they have had the gall to call themselves police officers. I applaud CCP Bush for putting these entitled members on the front line to give front line officers some respite and hopefully curve the sick leave numbers. Just as importantly, to make Victoria a safer place. You have now been told to do nothing more than what you were sworn to do. Because reality now has been delivered you target the very man by stealth and backstabbing. He is trying to make a difference with what limited resource’s he has.
I concur – well put Charlie.
Lets shoot the messenger Ivan. Who wrote this load of crap? Talking about a “source” having a chat with the psych unit and being a rat in the ranks are smart arsed comments especially if you’re only surmising about what’s happened. From my reading of news reports his wife has gone for a ride on the helicopter within a day or two of him commencing duties and not only that with a couple of cops from New Zealand surprise surprise What on earth could he have been thinking? Fails the old pub test badly.
If you want to read ‘a load of crap’, read your own post. How does a ride in a helicopter deserve criticism when young kids are being hacked to pieces by machete-wielding out-of-control teenagers? Get your priorities right. It is blatantly obvious a campaign from within is being waged to discredit the Chief, and the idiots ruining, sorry running this state, are just looking for an opportunity to get rid of him. They were hoping for another useful idiot.
If you are in the Force, you should resign immediately. You and others of a similar mind are the problem.
What has happened to the brotherhood and respect for fellow members? I am disgusted and extremely disappointed that the CCP has been treated in this way by these so-called members of Command; many of whom rose the position by climbing the greasy pole and probably some degree of sycophancy. How many of them have recently confronted an angry man or locked up a crook? Very few of them I suggest. Find them and put them in operational positions, or better still, sack them. Let’s get back to doing our sworn duty and addressing the soaring crime rate.
Well done Ivan.
There certainly are rats in the ranks of the Victoria Police
and I wonder what their intentions are.
The Herald Sun should be ashamed of themselves for putting
such articles on the front page. It indicates the value of the
communication between previous Police Commands and
Organisations, such as newspapers, which were unfortunately abandoned in recent times
Thanx Charlie, I have the utmost respect for you, we need unity in our police force, I fear this appalling Government we have in this state will not likeMike Bush as he speaks out about the huge amount of crime in our community largely created by weak bail laws& soft justice approach. & weak magistrates.
Ron Anstee is absolutely right. Instead of reporting about positive things the Chief Commissioner has done since his appointment, it dwells on sensationalism. Gutter journalism. We should support CCP Bush who has brought a bit of fresh air, to say at least, to the stale air within Victoria Police. This man of integrity is now feared by those who should never occupy their high ranking positions. It is of some concern that there seem to be some colleagues who would go out of their way to undermine and discredit their boss.
Incidentally, I tend to believe that the Chief Commissioner should have full access to the Force chopper if he is on important and urgent police business.
The Chief Commissioner could have easily avoided the public embarrassment of how he utilised the police helicopter by not using it in the manner in which he did.
Nothing damages the reputation of the police force more grievously than allegations of malfeasance (or corruption) on the part of its members.
Publicity regarding a single act of police malfeasance (or corruption) can create the impression of institutionalised behaviour.
The Chief Commissioner made a mistake and has damaged his reputation and standing within the police force and with his public image.
The question is, can the Chief Commissioner recover from his mistake?
I was NOT a fan of CCP Bush when he was appointed, thinking it was “more of the same” but it is clear that certain high ranking officers want him gone and from my point of view that means he has my support. The individual at the HSun who wrote the story and who masquerades as a “journalist” Mark Butler , has a long track record of being the “go to” guy for certain command officers when they want a smear campaign run on an individual or organization. And of course these officers are closely linked to the Labor Party and Andrews/Allan government.
Good luck Commissioner Bush , hope you can go 15 rounds and drain the swamp!