Vic cops halt Border Force collaboration

Victoria Police have put a hold on joint operations with the immigration department's Border Force after a bungled operation triggered street protests in Melbourne.

Protesters took to the streets last month after Australian Border Force issued a statement saying officers would be "speaking to any individuals we cross paths with" as part of Operation Fortitude.

Chief commissioner Graham Ashton says police have previously worked with the immigration department but have put a hold on future operations involving Border Force.

"We understand it has a different look and feel, and this is why I'm saying we won't do any more operations until we understand how that differs from what we did do (in the past)," Mr Ashton told ABC on Thursday.