A reminder of why there is a significant corruption issue with the Victoria Police at this moment.....
Brumby Government lobbied Simon Overland to release crime stats
THE Brumby Government successfully pressured Victoria's top cop to release incomplete crime data just weeks out from last November's state election, it has been reported.
The decision to release the statistics early was a factor in Deputy Commissioner Sir Ken Jones' decision to resign, Fairfax reports.
The former government reportedly met with Chief Commissioner Simon Overland and Deputy Commissioner Kieran Walshe in October last year to push for the release of the stats, which showed a drop-off in assaults in Melbourne's CBD.
Sir Ken privately objected to the release of the statistics, fearing it would be viewed as a partisan play by police just weeks out from the November election.
Senior police reportedly conceded those stats, released in October, were selective and did not paint an accurate picture of the overall assault rate in the city.
Mr Overland argued to release the data in October because he felt it was in the public interest.
It emerged in February that the statistics released in October did not include categories showing increases in assaults in carparks and train stations.
The Victorian Ombudsman is now investigating the circumstances surrounding the release of the data.
In an email to police colleagues, Sir Ken described his relationship with Mr Overland as "properly robust and professional" and said media speculation on the issue helped no one.