Victoria police misconduct warning top cop issues stern email warning 17 officers stood down 20230302 p5ypla.html – Breaking News & Latest Updates 2026
Advertisement
Advertisement
This was published 3 years ago

'You'll be sacked': The stern email sent to every Victorian cop over disturbing trend

Allanah Sciberras

Powered by

Victoria's top cop has issued a warning to all officers on the force after more than a dozen were dismissed over the last year.

You'd expect police officers to be taking action to reduce family violence, predatory behaviour, discrimination, drink driving or drug use - not participating in it.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said today he would not tolerate any more inappropriate behaviour as he revealed 17 officers had lost their jobs amid a rise in misconduct and disciplinary hearings.

Advertisement

READ MORE: Toyah Cordingley's accused killer expected to be charged with murder

Victoria's top cop has issued a stern warning to officers over a rise in misconduct.  Nine

"To be crystal clear, I sent out a message yesterday and I said if you're engaged in this type of behaviour, this type of conduct, the consequences are you can expect to find the high jump," Patton said.

"You'll be sacked ... unless there's some extreme example which I can't even think of ... the consequences are dismissal."

"We owe that to the public, the vast majority of Victoria Police officers are brilliant and they behave appropriately and with integrity.

"But for those few that very small number of members who think that they won't be held to account, well this message is to them."

READ MORE: Aussie renters describe being 'cooked from above' in sweltering homes

Police Association Victoria Secretary Wayne Gatt said the email was important to remind officers of the expectations. Nine

Advertisement

Sign up here to receive our daily newsletters and breaking news alerts, sent straight to your inbox.

The chief commissioner said alarming behaviours like "drink-driving, drug use, family violence, sexual and predatory behaviour, vilifying behaviour including discrimination, homophobia" had been investigated and would not be tolerated.

"The family violence component is a really worrying area where we see members committing family violence," he said.

"Those who we become aware of, we will hold you to account."

Advertisement
Advertisement

It's important those enforcing the law had clear expectations for their behaviour set out, Police Association Victoria Secretary Wayne Gatt said.

"About 99 per cent of our members probably won't even bat an eyelid to be honest because they're out there doing the right thing as you'd expect them to be," he said.

"This is a business-as-usual process that has to be done to set expectations for all police."

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.

Advertisement

In an emergency, call 000.

email icon

Contact us

Share a tip-off, video or photo with us

Most viewed in VIC

More to explore