Overview

• Mike Bush, former New Zealand Police Commissioner, has been officially named Victoria's next Chief Commissioner of Police after an extensive international search.
• Bush will assume the role on June 27, marking the first external appointment to the position since 2001.
• Victoria faces its highest crime rate since 2016, with a 15.7% increase in offences, partly driven by repeat youth offending.
• Bush plans to emphasize crime prevention, operational excellence, and community trust, drawing on his success in reducing crime by 20% in New Zealand between 2010 and 2014.
• Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill will serve as acting commissioner until Bush takes over, following leadership instability caused by Shane Patton's resignation and Rick Nugent's withdrawal from consideration.