Who we are
Shane Patton APM
GCG Consortium · Member record
Australia
Tab 01 · Profile
Profile
Shane Patton APM was Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police for five years to 2025, leading Australia's largest police force of 23,000 employees serving over seven million Victorians. With 40 years' experience across investigations, counter-terrorism, emergency management and public order management, he led the policing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and major bushfires and floods, and drove significant operational and legislative reform. He holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration and is a recipient of the Australian Police Medal.
As Chief Commissioner, Shane drove major reform including the creation of a Counter Terrorism Command, a unit to monitor radicalised persons of interest, a drone unit, a Gang Crime Squad and Illicit Firearms Teams, alongside legislative reform in counter-terrorism, firearms and DNA suspect sampling. He was State Police Commander for significant counter-terrorism operations in Victoria and other critical incidents, including the attempted hijacking of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH128 in 2017, oversaw the lowest ever number of lives lost on Victorian roads, and introduced Neighbourhood Policing and Schools Engagement models across the State.
Shane has been committed to reducing the representation of First Nations people in the criminal justice system, implementing programmes following his appearance before the Yoorrook Justice Commission, and delivered a historic apology to Indigenous Stolen Generations survivors and their families in 2024. He holds board positions at State and National level, is a member of the IACP, and holds a Master's Degree in Public Policy and Administration, currently undertaking a law degree. He is a Williamson Fellow and an ANZSOG, LinCT and FBI National Executive Institute leadership programme alumnus, and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Police Management. He has received several policing and emergency management medals, including the Australian Police Medal.
Tab 02 · Areas of expertise
Areas of expertise
- Executive law enforcement leadership Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police (2020–2025), leading Australia's largest police force of 23,000 employees serving over seven million Victorians across 331 police stations.
- Counter-terrorism command & investigations Led major counter-terrorism investigations and was State Police Commander for significant counter-terrorism operations, including the attempted hijacking of Malaysian Airlines Flight MH128 in 2017; created Victoria Police's Counter Terrorism Command and a unit to monitor radicalised persons of interest.
- Emergency management & crisis response Directed the policing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and major bushfires and floods, and influenced sector-wide emergency management reforms.
- Public order management 40 years' experience including public order management, the establishment of a drone unit, a Gang Crime Squad and Illicit Firearms Teams, and legislative reform in firearms and DNA suspect sampling.
- Governance, risk & public safety innovation Governance, risk management and public safety innovation; holds board positions at State and National level and is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
Tab 03 · Service record
Service record
- 2020 – 2025 Chief Commissioner, Victoria Police Led Australia's largest police force of 23,000 employees, providing policing services to over seven million Victorians across 331 police stations. Directed the policing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and major bushfires and floods.
- To 2020 State Police Commander, Victoria Police Commanded significant counter-terrorism operations and other critical incidents across Victoria.
- 40+ years Victoria Police — career across investigations, road policing, counter-terrorism, community policing, prosecutions, training, emergency management and public order management
Tab 04 · Consortium delivery