Victoria's new top cop committed to tightening bail laws

Victoria's new top cop will focus on tightening the state's bail laws as he works to repair a police force fractured by an ongoing pay dispute.

Addressing the media for the first time since his appointment, Acting Police Chief Commissioner Rick Nugent revealed that he had already been in talks with the government about bail reforms and emphasised the need for the force to reset.

His appointment to the role in an acting capacity came suddenly over the weekend after Shane Patton announced in a late-night statement that he would be stepping down following a damning vote of no confidence in his leadership.

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Looking at his priorities ahead, he noted bail as front of mind.

"It's clear bail laws in this state need to be strengthened. I have met with the minister yesterday who confirmed they were undertaking a review," he said.

"The government is now working through what those changes will be.

"You don't want children remanded, but from time to time their behaviours, their offending reaches a level that, whatever level that is, where they need to be incarcerated."

Nugent expressed support for the enterprise bargaining agreement, which is set to go to a vote of members next week.

He also highlighted the importance of recruitment, calling it "an immediate priority".

"We have over a thousand vacancies in the organisation at the moment and we need to ensure that a pipeline is clear to enable people to be recruited to this organisation, to then move through the academy and out onto the road to support our police already there," he said.

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'Overwhelming vote' of a lack of confidence

Former chief commissioner Patton announced his resignation over the weekend 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.

Patton 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".

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan addressed reporters on Monday morning, saying police members' "overwhelming vote" of a lack of confidence in Patton "simply couldn't be overlooked", and led to him resigning effective immediately.

Nugent said he had spoken to Patton, thanking him for his service to the force.

"I want to thank him for 45 years of service and his commitment to this organisation," he said.

"He cared passionately about the organisation."

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