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IBAC urges police to crack down on predatory behaviour

Police found to groom, stalk or sexually assault vulnerable members of the public are likely to repeat the behaviour, a new intelligence report by the state’s anti-corruption commission has found.

Police found to groom, stalk or sexually assault vulnerable members of the public are likely to repeat the behaviour, a new intelligence report by the state’s anti-corruption commission has found.

IBAC examined 142 allegations of predatory behaviour by Victoria Police over 10 years against vulnerable members of the public, with complaints ranging from sexually inappropriate comments or relationships, through to stalking and sexual assault.

“Our research indicates that victims of predatory behaviour by police are some of the most vulnerable people in the community – such as victims of domestic and family violence or sexual assault, sex workers, or people with mental illness, or alcohol or drug dependency,” IBAC Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan QC said.

“Predatory behaviour by a small number of police officers can have devastating impacts on victims, while undermining the crucial work of the vast majority of their colleagues.

“It is important for Victoria Police to recognise, and act on, red flags that may indicate such behaviour by some officers. For instance, our research suggests that predatory behaviour by police is likely to be pattern-prone, requiring closer examination of officers’ complaint histories and vetting during recruitment of Victoria Police officers.”

IBAC’s analysis of the complaint data between 2004 and 2014 revealed:

  • about one-third of the alleged offenders were subject to two or more separate allegations
  • officers from rural locations are over-represented as alleged perpetrators of predatory behaviour
  • all but one of the alleged offenders were male; all but one of the alleged victims were female
  • victims of domestic or family violence were the most common victims of alleged predatory behaviour
  • alleged predators commonly misuse police databases in order to gain personal details of victims.

IBAC provided its detailed intelligence analysis to the Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police in March this year to help Victoria Police identify, investigate and prevent predatory behaviour by its officers. Victoria Police is now monitoring and investigating a number of serving officers identified by IBAC as alleged repeat offenders of predatory behaviour.

"Police officers are entrusted with significant powers that can be exercised often with discretion over their fellow citizens. The exercise of these powers can be vulnerable to misuse; damaging to both the individuals involved and the broader community,” Mr O’Bryan said.

“Due to the vulnerability of the victims in such cases, it is highly likely that predatory behaviour is under-reported.

“However, our research shows that complaints about predatory behaviour involving vulnerable community members are twice as likely to be substantiated than other types of police complaints. So victims should have some confidence they will be listened to when making a complaint.”

IBAC’s independent, external oversight is critical to ensure Victoria Police personnel act fairly, impartially and in accordance with the law. Victims of predatory behaviour by police can report in full confidence to IBAC, which can also afford extra protections to complainants under the protected disclosure regime.

To report police misconduct, go to www.ibac.vic.gov.au, or contact the Victoria Police Professional Standards Command.