Victoria's top cop quits 'immediately' after damning no-confidence vote

Victoria's top cop has quit "effective immediately" following a  damning vote of no confidence in his leadership.

Late last night, Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton and Premier Jacinta Allan announced the police chief had handed in his resignation, ahead of a key announcement on his future expected today.

Patton and the government had been under pressure to act after 87.13 per cent of more than 12,000 officers surveyed by the Police Association Victoria said they didn't have confidence in him to lead the force.

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Late last night Patton said under the "current circumstances" he'd told the government he would step away "effective immediately".

The officer with 45 years' experience said he had committed his life to the organisation and took the decision with a "heavy heart" but it was "the right one to allow fresh leadership in the role".

"To have been given the opportunity to lead a police organisation such as Victoria Police is an absolute privilege and one very few people have. I was fortunate to have done so and for that I am very thankful," he said.

"At the many graduation parades I attend, I often say that policing has often been described as having front row seats to the greatest show on earth and that is true.

"It is a fantastic job, rewarding, challenging and one that provides a second family, a family of blue. One that I will miss immensely."

Allan, who'd been expected to front cameras today alongside Police Minister Anthony Carbines to pronounce on Patton's future, thanked the chief commissioner for his work since joining the force in 1978.

"He went on to lead the force through significant challenges, particularly COVID-19," she said.

"On behalf of the Victorian people, I thank Shane for his long and decorated service and his leadership though challenging times."

Deputy Commissioner Wendy Steendam will lead the force until Emergency Management Commissioner Rick Nugent can shift from that role into the acting chief commissioner job.

Patton thanked Victorians, other police, family and friends and his Executive Command team for his time in the job.

His resignation came after calls from the police association for him to go and relative silence from the government following Friday's no-confidence vote.

"They sent us and the force and the government a very strong message on Friday and they're calling for change," association chief executive Wayne Gatt said.

"It's not a personal attack. It's just a reality."

The opposition had criticised the government for not acting sooner, accusing Allan's team of being "missing in action" and claiming the vote was a "vote of no confidence, not just in Shane Patton, but in the premier and police minister".

Patton's five-year term had been set to end in June but was reportedly not going to be renewed.

His first major job in the role was enforcing COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions.

In the years since, Patton has overseen a surge in youth crime and resignations and has also failed to finalise a new pay deal for the past two years.