Distinguished ex Vic police chief dies

A man credited for his efforts to modernise Victoria's police force has died, aged 92.

Mick Miller was chief commissioner from 1977 to 1987.

During a 40-year career he courted controversy, surviving a no-confidence resolution passed by the Police Association executive two years into the top job.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Victoria Police confirmed Mr Miller's death earlier in the day.

"Mr Miller left a long lasting legacy on our organisation and was highly regarded by both our current serving and former members," the force said.

"As chief commissioner (he) was instrumental in modernising police services with the introduction of Neighbourhood Watch, the establishment of the Special Operations Group, the Police Airwing and revolutionised detective training."

In 2015's Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, Mr Miller gave explosive evidence including that high-ranking officers in the 1970s helped conceal the acts of a pedophile priest.

Before joining the police and spending time in the vice and homicide squads, Mr Miller served in the Australian Imperial Force during the World War II.

His honours included the Queen's Police Medal and Officer of the Order of Australia.