A state government is scrambling to manage the expected exit of its embattled police boss after most of the force expressed a loss of confidence in his leadership.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has gone to ground since initially vowing to stay on after a union no-confidence vote was passed on Friday.
Of the 14,571 Police Association members who took part in the online ballot, more than 12,600 - or 87 per cent - did not have confidence he could lead and manage Victoria Police in the future.
That accounts for more than half of Victoria Police's 21,715-strong workforce.
Police Minister Anthony Carbines earlier this month said the government would likely not re-advertise Mr Patton's role ahead of his contract expiring in mid-2025, as he had confidence in his leadership.
But the minister backtracked from that position after Friday's vote, declaring a process was underway.
Neither he nor Premier Jacinta Allan were out to clarify the situation on Saturday or Sunday.
Opposition police spokesman David Southwick said the government was "missing in action".
"Two days later, no premier, no police minister, they're in witness protection," he told reporters after a community safety rally in the bayside Melbourne suburb of Hampton on Sunday.
"Where is the government? You've got Shane Patton turning up for work tomorrow only after he's (been) given his marching orders on Friday.
"No wonder we have a crime crisis."
Mr Southwick called for the police minister to be sacked, describing Mr Patton as the government's "fall guy" for rising crime concerns that have led to a review of bail laws.
"The government hold the purse strings, the government hold the power to change the laws," Mr Southwick said.
Senior minister Lily D'Ambrosio was instead forced to face the music on Sunday, declaring the government stood by officers when asked if Mr Patton had been made a scapegoat for the government's "failings" on crime.
"I'm not about to make a running commentary on assertions that are made through the media," she said.
She declined to confirm or deny reports Mr Patton's contract would not be renewed and that a caretaker boss was likely to be appointed.
"There have been no decisions made on that front," she said.
The force expressed a loss of confidence in his leadership, were receiving briefings from department secretaries on Sunday and would provide an update on Monday, she added.
Ambulance Victoria chief executive Jane Miller resigned in August, weeks after the paramedic union passed a vote of no confidence in the executive board and called for the minister to appoint new management.
It comes after more than a year of negotiations over a new pay deal for police, which led to more than a dozen stop-work actions and members rejecting a deal agreed to by their own union, The Police Association of Victoria.
A revised pay deal is set to be put to a members' vote.
