Members of the Victorian police force and the police association were outraged today at Christine Nixon and Simon Overland after the high profile and elite Armed Offenders squad (aka armed robbery squad) was disbanded from the force. The move has created an even worse split within the Victorian police force,with the union threatening industrial action over the decision. The squad was raided by officers from the Ethical standards department (E.S.D) earlier this year over allegations of assults and bashing suspects. Senior police are outraged over the disbanding,which was the result of complaints of a drug-addicted armed robber who is responsible for several armed robberies in which shots were fired and a store owner pistol whipped. The armed offenders squad is considered the most decorated and successful unit in Victoria's police force history. During the 80's and 90's it was also the most feared,with some suspects even admitting to armed holdups rather than risk being raided by members of the squad
