The Herald Sun 13/08/2026 carries an article headed, “PSOs TO PATROL SHOPS” and reports that the Premier directs that PSOs will blitz crime-ridden shopping centres.
The Police Act 2013 is specific relating to the deployment of Police and PSOs.
Under Division 2 – Relationship with government, Section 10, Ministerial directions:
(1) The Minister may from time to time, after consulting the Chief Commissioner, give written directions to the Chief Commissioner in relation to the policy and priorities to be pursued in the performance of the functions of Victoria Police.
(2) Subject to subsection (3), a direction under subsection (1) cannot be given in relation to any of the following matters—(f) the allocation or deployment of police officers or protective services officers to or at particular locations;
Clearly, the Premier has ignored the Police Act and usurped the prerogative of the Chief Commissioner (CCP) to allocate operational police and PSOs.
The Act, unfortunately, had unintended consequences when it requires the CCP to follow directions as to policy which is interpreted as permitting Governments to interfere with personnel allocations, despite the specific prohibition of this in Section 10.
None of the requirements of Sub-section 3 is applicable.
A classic example of the folly of such a power to order the deployment of police by Government is when the Andrews Government, during the COVID Pandemic, ordered a “Ring of Steel” be imposed to curb people’s ability to travel and required Police to enforce this edict when effectively it was a direction impossible to effectively implement.
The politicisation of the Victoria Police that has occurred over the past decades must be curtailed if we are to have a Force that acts without fear or favour.
The allocation of police resources must be at the sole discretion of the Chief Commissioner.
Author Kelvin (Kel) Glare AO APM, on behalf of the CAA, is Co-founder and Chair, a former Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police with over 35 years of service in uniform, as a fingerprint technician and expert, as a Police Prosecutor, OIC and creator of the Pollice Prosecutions Division, Divisional Inspector, first Assistant Commissioner of the then Internal Investigations Department, Assistant and Deputy Commissioner, Operations and CCP from 1987 to 1992. Kel has an Honours Degree in Law from the University of Melbourne and was Admitted to Practise as a Barrister and Solicitor in 1977. On retirement, for seven years, Kel was Executive Director of a leading Security Company conducting both national and international investigations. Kel remains committed to helping others who need a voice.
5 Comments
Maurice Kerrigan
on August 18, 2026 at 9:04 am
I agree where Police resources are designated should be at the sole discretion of the CCP, based on situations that require a Police presence.
The separation of power is paramount to ensure that Government has absolutely no ability to dictate to as to how Police carry out their sworn duty.
Watch out Victoria do you want a Police State!!!
Support the CCP in not being subject to Government manipulation.
Remember how Police were directed to carry out some of their duties during covid? The public didn’t like it and the Police certainly did not enjoy what they were expected to do, door knocking etc.
Let the politicians go out in their spare time and do the patrols of shopping centres and just ring the police hotline if they see something that is relevant to the safety of the community.
Keep safe Victoria and support your Police.
Maurice if the Police did not like what they were doing during COVID why did they do it?Please do not say “following orders” as have heard that before- there comes a time when one needs to stand strong- and in union for your moral ethics- were they fearful? did they enjoy bullying tactics- as I certainly was a target on numerous occasions legally working in my office!
If one follows along with something you do not believe in, this will eventually bring you down mentally- hence I wonder if this is why mental health has become a serious issue?
Thankyou Kel for bringing this to light-this has been a serious concern for many with the total “ignoring” of the separation of powers in the last few years-between Executive Legislative and Judicial- I have had experience self representing in Court so have witnessed and seen this in full play-
One of my hearings was completely scrubbed from the court recording- and was not re heard-think I brought up matters they did not want heard?Told me some story about the equipment which I did not buy as you can still hear me start a sentence and then was cut- million dollar question is – how do we fix this? Think you better come back and be Commissioner again!
Also recently tried to view an affidavit that executed a warrant ( in my name with the incorrect address) and was told by the Magistrates Court this could not be done but referred them to section 18 (4) of the Magistrates Court Act 1989 and was totally ignored?
Look forward to a solution!
Clearly, the [new] Premier ALSO has ignored the Police Act and usurped the prerogative of the Chief Commissioner (CCP) to allocate operational police and PSOs.
By law, the allocation of police resources must be at the sole discretion of the Chief Commissioner.
Nonetheless, Andrews ordered that Police form a “Ring of Steel” during Covid. Then there are well-founded allegations that Andrews earlier took political interference to another level by causing a number of Police to behave unethically and fraudulently in his personal favour. The rot has not stopped!
52 1 3 of the Act reference the Regulations where PSO members can be deployed but I see no reference to which regulations they are – can anyone advise.
Oh and I agree with the gist of the topic, just asking the question.
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I agree where Police resources are designated should be at the sole discretion of the CCP, based on situations that require a Police presence.
The separation of power is paramount to ensure that Government has absolutely no ability to dictate to as to how Police carry out their sworn duty.
Watch out Victoria do you want a Police State!!!
Support the CCP in not being subject to Government manipulation.
Remember how Police were directed to carry out some of their duties during covid? The public didn’t like it and the Police certainly did not enjoy what they were expected to do, door knocking etc.
Let the politicians go out in their spare time and do the patrols of shopping centres and just ring the police hotline if they see something that is relevant to the safety of the community.
Keep safe Victoria and support your Police.
Maurice if the Police did not like what they were doing during COVID why did they do it?Please do not say “following orders” as have heard that before- there comes a time when one needs to stand strong- and in union for your moral ethics- were they fearful? did they enjoy bullying tactics- as I certainly was a target on numerous occasions legally working in my office!
If one follows along with something you do not believe in, this will eventually bring you down mentally- hence I wonder if this is why mental health has become a serious issue?
Thankyou Kel for bringing this to light-this has been a serious concern for many with the total “ignoring” of the separation of powers in the last few years-between Executive Legislative and Judicial- I have had experience self representing in Court so have witnessed and seen this in full play-
One of my hearings was completely scrubbed from the court recording- and was not re heard-think I brought up matters they did not want heard?Told me some story about the equipment which I did not buy as you can still hear me start a sentence and then was cut- million dollar question is – how do we fix this? Think you better come back and be Commissioner again!
Also recently tried to view an affidavit that executed a warrant ( in my name with the incorrect address) and was told by the Magistrates Court this could not be done but referred them to section 18 (4) of the Magistrates Court Act 1989 and was totally ignored?
Look forward to a solution!
Clearly, the [new] Premier ALSO has ignored the Police Act and usurped the prerogative of the Chief Commissioner (CCP) to allocate operational police and PSOs.
By law, the allocation of police resources must be at the sole discretion of the Chief Commissioner.
Nonetheless, Andrews ordered that Police form a “Ring of Steel” during Covid. Then there are well-founded allegations that Andrews earlier took political interference to another level by causing a number of Police to behave unethically and fraudulently in his personal favour. The rot has not stopped!
52 1 3 of the Act reference the Regulations where PSO members can be deployed but I see no reference to which regulations they are – can anyone advise.
Oh and I agree with the gist of the topic, just asking the question.