Describing the proposal as “drivel”, Mr Tilley said while he had no issue with having the squads, he disagreed with the idea of reducing the number of frontline police to fund them.

Commissioner Ken Lay offered the proposal from his “blue paper” when speaking at a Rotary Club dinner in Wangaratta this month.

Mr Tilley responded to Mr Lay’s comments at Wangaratta within a nine-page report he gave to his Liberal Party colleagues and yesterday, he defended his right to express his personal views.

He said he also sought to reverse the view held by some voters and sections of the media that backbenchers were “cowards” who simply followed the party line.

Mr Tilley’s background as a former police officer means he can speak with some authority when it comes to policing and he has a legitimate view that the public might lose faith in Victoria Police should they cut back on the number of officers on the beat.

He said the work done by squads such as the domestic violence unit should not come at the cost of losing police on the road.