Victoria Police Code of Conduct: The eight standards

Whether on or off duty, Victoria Police personnel must uphold the Values of Victoria Police and demonstrate integrity in the performance of their duties. Victoria Police personnel are expected to take accountability for their actions and omissions.

The Victorian community relies on Victoria Police personnel to behave with integrity in the performance of their duties and in their dealings with the public, colleagues and the judicial system.

Victoria Police personnel must not make false, misleading or inaccurate records or statements unless lawful and with appropriate authority to do so.

Victoria Police personnel must comply with the law, whether on or off duty and must perform their duties fairly and impartially.

Conduct that compromises, has the potential to, or can be perceived to compromise a personnel’s ability to perform their duties fairly and impartially undermines public confidence in Victoria Police.

Victoria Police personnel are responsible for the management of any interest that may conflict with their duties and are expected to place the good of the community before their own interests.

Any financial or private interest that does, has the potential to, or may be perceived as compromising a Victoria Police personnel’s ability to perform their duties fairly or impartially, will be considered a conflict of interest. This can include a:

• gift, benefit or hospitality offered or received, or
• secondary employment, or
• an outside interest such as volunteer work, club or membership, or
• a personal relationship or association.

Victoria Police personnel must identify and report any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest in adherence to the organisation’s policies.

Supervisors are responsible for ensuring that conflict of interest risk management plans are only approved and managed if they align with the public interest.

In carrying out their duties, Victoria Police employees must treat the public and their colleagues with respect, fairness and dignity. Personnel must understand and comply with the obligations under the Charter.

Personnel must act compatibly with human rights and give proper consideration to relevant human rights before making a decision. The obligations apply whether personnel are exercising police or other statutory powers afforded to them.

Victoria Police personnel routinely interact with vulnerable members of the community, whether they are victims or witnesses to a crime or in our custody or care. Victoria Police personnel should take additional care in their interactions with any vulnerable person to ensure their safety and dignity is maintained.

Victoria Police is a diverse and inclusive workplace that supports all personnel. Victoria Police personnel must not engage in inappropriate workplace behaviours including bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination or victimisation.

Victoria Police personnel hold a position of authority and must exercise their powers and influence in accordance with the law and organisational policies.

Victoria Police personnel must not use their position, Victoria Police information or resources for private or professional gain. The community places significant trust in Victoria Police personnel to only access confidential information or use work resources with appropriate authorisation and when it is necessary to perform their roles effectively.

Victoria Police personnel have a responsibility to uphold and respect a person’s right to privacy. Victoria Police personnel are required to access and retain sensitive information to perform their duties.

To ensure the public feels safe providing personal and confidential information to Victoria Police, Victoria Police personnel must ensure private information is accessed, stored and disclosed in accordance with legislation and policy. Any information gained or accessed by personnel must be for a legitimate business purpose.

Victoria Police personnel are to be aware that a power imbalance will inherently exist with members of the public and subordinate personnel, due to their position and statutory powers.

Victoria Police personnel must not use their position to cultivate, or attempt to cultivate, personal relationships beyond what a reasonable person would consider appropriate with people they meet through the course of their employment. Victoria Police personnel must ensure they exercise their influence, powers, and authority appropriately.

Victoria Police personnel must not use their position to exploit, harm, commence or attempt to commence, a sexual or emotional relationship with another person.

Victoria Police personnel who take an oath or affirmation of office, such as Police Officers and Protective Service Officers, have the authority to use significant and wide-ranging powers.

These powers include use of reasonable force, access to information, surveillance, and powers to stop and search or arrest individuals.

The exercise of any police powers must be lawful, necessary, proportionate and justifiable in every circumstance. Misuse of police powers causes harm and erodes public trust and confidence in Victoria Police.

Victoria Police personnel must comply with lawful instructions given to them during their employment. Victoria Police personnel must perform their duties lawfully and in accordance with applicable Victoria Police policies and procedures.

Victoria Police personnel must not act outside their level of authority. It is the responsibility of personnel to seek additional guidance or support from a supervisor if required.

As an organisation, Victoria Police is responsible for providing guidance and training for all personnel to ensure they understand how to lawfully perform their duties.

Victoria Police personnel are required to keep up to date with changes to relevant legislation, policies and procedures to ensure they can effectively perform their duties.

Victoria Police is committed to creating and maintaining a working environment where people are, and feel, physically and psychologically safe. Everyone working at Victoria Police shares the responsibility to take reasonable care for their own health and safety, and the health and safety of others.

Victoria Police is a professional and disciplined organisation. We have an obligation to the community and our colleagues to carry out our duties safely. Victoria Police personnel must be fit to perform their duties and not be impaired from alcohol or other drugs.

Supervisors have an obligation to ensure Victoria Police personnel are fit to perform their duties safely. A supervisor must not knowingly allow an impaired Victoria Police personnel to perform any duty.

To uphold the integrity of Victoria Police, every personnel must report, challenge and take action against unprofessional, unethical or illegal conduct. Unethical conduct by personnel harms the reputation and undermines the good work of Victoria Police.

All supervisors play a key role in promoting and demonstrating ethical leadership within the organisation. Supervisors must support personnel who report unprofessional, unethical or illegal conduct of other personnel.

Through fostering a safe working environment, Victoria Police encourages open and honest communication that can support personnel to challenge and report unethical behaviour. Managers and supervisors are expected to take action at the earliest opportunity if any personnel are not upholding the professional and ethical standards of Victoria Police.