Vic police badge unearthed after 46 years

A police badge lost for 46 years has been unearthed at a Victorian construction site.

Constable Peter Hinchey lost his police hat, including the numbered badge, at Fitzroy in 1969 as he chased a group of men acting suspiciously.

The hat was knocked off his head during a scuffle and not seen again - until contractors excavating land in Brighton came across the badge in July.

"I never thought I'd see it again," the recently retired Mr Hinchey said on Tuesday.

"After losing it that night, I assumed it was gone for good."

Mr Hinchey worked for the police force for 42 years, was awarded a medal for courage and was posted to Dunkeld's one man station in Victoria's west for 30 years.