Cops fear dobbers will be punished

HALF of Victoria’s police officers feel there will be “personal repercussions” — or they could lose their jobs — should they dob in dodgy colleagues.

Only a third thought meaningful action would be taken if they reported corruption, and only 20 per cent felt confident they would be protected from victimisation, Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anticorruption Commission said of a survey completed by almost 1200 officers and employees.

IBAC head Alistair Maclean said yesterday the results were worrying given that police swore an oath to uphold the law and were legally obliged to report corruption and police misconduct.

“Police can never turn a blind eye to corruption or misconduct,” he said.

“Unfortunately, several IBAC investigations have exposed instances of police misconduct. This research shows there is a clear opportunity for Victoria Police to improve the level of confidence its employees have to report suspected misconduct, and to ensure they know about the protections available for those who report.”

Survey respondents said they were confident they could identify corrupt behaviour and there was a “strong personal commitment to the values of integrity and honesty”.

Most agreed the force shared these values.

Victoria Police said in a statement yesterday it encouraged members to report questionable behaviour and offered protection to those who do.

“We acknowledge that some employees have responded with concern of the personal cost or repercussions of reporting corrupt behaviours,” it said.

“(We) will continue to respond appropriately to reported corruption or misconduct and protect our people from detrimental action.”

Respondents believed there were opportunities for corruption and misconduct, including conflicts of interest, abuse of discretion, perverting the course of justice and bribery.

The most common corruption identified was misuse of confidential information.