Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has apologised after confirming he used a police helicopter to travel to Tasmania for the annual Australian and New Zealand Police Commissioners Forum.
“It was the wrong decision. We should have looked harder for a commercial flight,” Bush said in a statement shared with The Epoch Times.
“While there were no impacts on community safety or financial costs to Victoria Police as the flight fell within our contracted hours with the Air Wing provider, it creates a poor impression at a challenging time for our organisation.”
Victoria Police confirmed Bush was joined on the flight by two support staff and the New Zealand Police Commissioner.
Chopper Grounded in Hobart
The trip was undertaken on the secondary Air Wing helicopter, which is used for training and as a backup to the primary aircraft.Police said using the fixed-wing aircraft had been assessed but ruled out due to strong winds in Tasmania.
Upon arrival, the helicopter was grounded overnight in Hobart after a mechanical issue was detected and investigated. It was later cleared and returned to Melbourne at 4:30 p.m. on Oct. 21.
No Extra Cost to Police
Victoria Police said the flight fell within its set monthly flying hours under an existing commercial agreement with the Air Wing provider. As a result, there was no additional financial cost associated with the trip.The force also confirmed it has remained within its contracted flying hours for the past 12 months.
It added that this includes operations such as the intensive search over Porepunkah for Desi Freeman, wanted in connection with the shooting deaths of two police officers on Aug. 26.
Police spokesperson clarified that this is the first time Chief Commissioner Bush has used the Air Wing helicopter for travel. He has previously used the fixed-wing aircraft for operational purposes.
Bush and his staff are returning to Melbourne on a commercial flight.
