Spotlight on police chasing people they meet on the job

Victorian police officers continue to use their position to start sexual relationships with people they meet on duty despite efforts to stamp out "predatory" behaviour.

A thematic review by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission assessed 27 Victoria Police investigations of alleged predatory behaviour by officers between 2019 and 2022 and found evidence that the issue was ongoing, with many cases unreported.

IBAC Deputy Commissioner Kylie Kilgour said predatory behaviour is where a police officer misuses their position to begin, or attempt to begin, an emotional or sexual relationship with a person they meet in the course of their duties.

"Despite efforts undertaken by Victoria Police over recent years, our review shows that predatory behaviour continues," Ms Kilgour said on Tuesday.

The review found Victoria Police's own investigations into allegations of predatory behaviour took a victim-centred approach, were thorough, made evidence-based findings and included appropriate sanctions that aligned with public expectations.

But in some cases, Victoria Police's internal disciplinary unit provided problematic advice to investigators, including recommending sanctions that were not consistent with investigation findings, organisational standards or community expectations.

In a statement, Victoria Police said the force was committed to eliminating predatory behaviour within its ranks.

"We know this type of behaviour, often involving patterns of offending, continues to be under-reported and are serious about changing any culture of protection among police," the statement said. 

Victoria Police has already begun working towards four of IBAC's five recommendations, including ensuring the Legal Discipline Advisory Unit gives advice consistent with the organisation's zero tolerance of predatory behaviour.

IBAC's recommendations include:

* Improvements to Victoria Police's employee training, complaint investigation reporting and record keeping.

* Improvements to the advice provided by Victoria Police's Legal Discipline Advisory Unit.

* Clearer guidance for employees on the declaration and management of intimate or personal workplace relationships.

* Increased monitoring of the ethical health of police officers who are subject to predatory behaviour allegations.