Reports of sexually inappropriate behaviour led the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission to have the Victoria police investigate within its own ranks. A number of officers have been identified by the watchdog after receiving complaints against them for making sexually explicit comments, stalking or sexual assault.

“It is important for Victoria police to recognise, and act on, red flags that may indicate such behaviour by some officers,” the Guardian quoted Commissioner Stephen O’Bryan QC as saying on Wednesday.

Between 2004 and 2014, the IBAC has received 142 complaints of sexual assaults in different forms on the vulnerable members of the community.

According to the report of the commission, the officers in question preyed on victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and also people suffering from mental illnesses, sex workers, or those having alcohol or drug addiction.

"Due to the vulnerability of the victims in such cases, it is highly likely that predatory behaviour is under-reported," the ABC quoted O'Bryan as saying.

The report also suggested that such type of complaints against police officers, more than any other type, would be more thoroughly substantiated. The supporting data of the report also suggested that such behaviour tends to become a pattern, that is, the officers who have committed such acts before are likely to commit them again.

One third of the officers have a history of one or two such allegations.

The Victoria Police is now investigating several officers who have been identified by the IBAC. The report submitted by IBAC also found that there should be closer examination of an officer’s history as such behaviours can be repetitive.

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