Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has apologized for using a police helicopter to travel to a conference in Tasmania, calling it a "wrong decision." Bush made the admission on Wednesday after flying nearly 600 kilometers from Melbourne to Hobart on Monday to attend the annual Australian and New Zealand Police Commissioners Forum. He was accompanied by New Zealand Police Commissioner Richard Chambers, a former colleague from his time as head of New Zealand's police force.

A spokesperson for Victoria Police explained that the helicopter was used because strong winds made the fixed-wing aircraft unviable for the trip. Operating the police helicopter costs more than $10,000 per hour, while a commercial flight from Melbourne to Hobart typically ranges from $300 to $750 for a round trip.

In his statement, Bush acknowledged that he should have made more effort to book a commercial flight. "I’m sorry that I made a bad decision," he told ABC radio. "If we’d been patient, more diligent, we would have booked a commercial flight and that would have been the most appropriate course of action."

Bush expressed surprise at the public's reaction to his decision. He emphasized the importance of public perception, stating, "The perception of Victoria Police in the public's eye is extremely important to us. They’ve got to have faith and confidence in us to do the job."

He added, "I’ve got to own that decision. It was my decision to do this. I regret it. It was the wrong decision."

Despite the helicopter's absence from Victoria, police officials stated that community safety and operational capacity were not affected. The primary helicopter and the fixed-wing aircraft remained available for use. Bush noted that if the helicopter had been the only aircraft, it would not have been used for the trip.

Victoria Police clarified that there would be no additional cost to taxpayers for the flight, as the force pays for a set number of flying hours each month under a leasing agreement. The helicopter used for the trip is primarily designated for training and serves as a backup for the main helicopter.

Bush plans to return to Melbourne on a commercial flight. This incident marks the first significant misstep for Bush since he took over as chief commissioner in June, following a tumultuous period for the force. His predecessor, Shane Patton, resigned after a no-confidence vote from police union officers linked to an 18-month pay dispute.

The use of the helicopter comes amid ongoing concerns about crime rates in Victoria, which are at their highest in 20 years. Recently, it was announced that several police stations in Whittlesea would have their hours reduced, raising further concerns about police resources in the region.