Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Vic police union chief retires

Victoria's police union chief is retiring after six years of big changes in the force.

Victoria's police union chief Greg Davies
Victoria's police union chief Greg Davies is retiring after six years of big changes in the force. (AAP)

Greg Davies isn't holding his breath for Christmas cards from the past two Victorian police commissioners.

The Police Association secretary finishes on Friday after six years in the role.

He memorably fought pitched battles with former chief commissioners Christine Nixon and Simon Overland.

"I don't think I'm on Ms Nixon or Mr Overland's Christmas card list," Mr Davies told AAP.

"I'd be very surprised to see either of them at my retirement."

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Ms Nixon stood down in 2008 and tore into the Police Association in her autobiography, while Mr Overland resigned in 2011 amid a period of turmoil within the force's top brass.

Mr Davies said rebuilding relationships with the chief commissioner's office and the state government had been difficult but important.

He said the introduction of tasers had been controversial, but they had saved lives.

"I'd rather be shot with a taser than a 40-calibre semi-automatic," he said.

Mr Davies also said putting protective services officers on rail station platforms had been a boost to public safety, even if opponents of the plan had been sceptical.

"Every person in Victoria is an expert on two things - football and policing," he said.

"Not too many of them have ever got a kick on the MCG and not too many of them have ever been confronted by an angry man."

A number of Victorian police have been investigated and convicted of crimes in the past few years, and Mr Davies said it was important they were given the same legal rights as anyone else.

"Human frailty is present in all of us, it doesn't matter what your occupation is," he said.

Mr Davies said governments could build the best schools, hospitals and transport systems in the world, but they needed to be kept safe.

"It all counts for nothing if your son gets beaten to death in the city on his 18th birthday," he said.

Mr Davies said incoming secretary Ron Iddles would negotiate the next pay deal in December 2015 and aim to improve the police IT system.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world