Victoria police officer being investigated for criminal offence

Photo: Glacier Media

A Victoria police officer is being investigated for a criminal offence.

The Victoria Police Department confirmed the investigation, which is being carried out by another agency.

The officer has been suspended from duty, the department said, and the matter has been referred to the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner, an independent civilian agency that oversees police misconduct investigations.

The police department would not provide details on the investigation, including what offence the officer is being investigated for, what agency is investigating or whether the investigation relates to actions while on duty.

“Out of respect for the integrity of the investigation, and the fact that no charges have been laid, we are unable to offer further comment at this time,” spokesman Bowen Osoko said in an email.

A spokesperson for the Office of the Police Complaint Commissioner said the office had been informed of the criminal investigation by senior members of the Victoria Police Department.

Deputy police complaint commissioner Andrea Spindler said a disciplinary conduct investigation into the officer has been launched in light of the criminal investigation and as a result of a request by the police department.

The OPCC investigation will be put on hold temporarily while the criminal investigation is underway to protect the integrity of the proceedings.

Spindler said in an email the OPCC does not conduct or oversee criminal investigations, but the office will monitor the situation closely.