Vic cops told to stamp out stalking

Victoria Police has been told to crack down on officers who prey on the vulnerable as complaints of sexual abuse against members come to light.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission has received complaints that some officers have been stalking, sexually assaulting and making sexually inappropriate comments to those who are often least likely to report the abuse.

"It is important for Victoria Police to recognise, and act on, red flags that may indicate such behaviour by some officers," Commissioner Stephen O'Bryan, QC, said on Wednesday.

Victims often included sex workers, people with alcohol or drug dependencies or those with mental illness, as well as victims of domestic abuse.

In the past decade, IBAC has examined 142 allegations of predatory behaviour against officers.