Victorian Police Caught Using And Trafficking Drugs

Cops partying on ice, cocaine, LSD and ecstasy would meet up with known traffickers, peddle drugs themselves and return positive tests, three Victorian anti-corruption investigations have uncovered.

There are systemic deficiencies in Victoria Police's illicit drug prevention and detection, says the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission.

It has conducted three operations into the possession, trafficking and use of illicit drugs by police officers since 2014.

"Police officers cannot be selective in choosing which criminal laws they will obey," IBAC Commissioner Stephen O'Bryan QC said in a statement.

"Our investigations found that while most of the police officers investigated were aware they were engaging in illegal conduct, they rationalised their off-duty criminality as being separate to their obligations as police officers."

Victoria Police's alcohol and drugs policy says illicit drugs use is not tolerated but there is some ambiguity around the consequences of illegal drug use, IBAC says.

The special report on illicit drugs is the fourth report this year relating to IBAC's oversight of Victoria Police.

Police have accepted the recommendations and committed to reviewing policies and practices, with a progress report due on June 30 next year, IBAC says.

Victoria Police must provide IBAC with a final report by June 30, 2018.