Media Releases

The public hearings are part of Operation Bredbo, an IBAC investigation into allegations that a member of Victoria Police exploited and misused their position as a police officer for reward to improperly influence people who were involved in commercial disputes or civil litigation.

The hearings will also examine allegations that the officer engaged in misconduct through maintaining improper associations and relationships and misusing police information.

IBAC's Commissioner, The Honourable Robert Redlich AM, QC said one of IBAC’s most important and significant functions is the independent oversight of Victoria Police.

“Victorian communities place great trust in Victoria Police and rightly expect police officers to perform their duties and exercise their significant powers fairly, impartially and in accordance with the law,” Commissioner Redlich said.

The hearings start on Tuesday 3 May and will be publicly streamed. The hearings cannot be attended in person by members of the public but can be freely accessed via video stream on the IBAC website (www.ibac.vic.gov.au).

The hearings will be presided over by Commissioner Redlich and Deputy Commissioner Stephen Farrow. Counsel Assisting is Catherine Boston and Sophie Molyneux of the Victorian Bar.

Anyone with credible information relevant to the investigation is encouraged to report it at www.ibac.vic.gov.au/report or phone 1300 735 135.

Media contact: media@ibac.vic.gov.au or 0427 480 840
 

To receive exhibits during the Operation Bredbo public hearings, and permission to rebroadcast parts of the video stream, media representatives must sign and return a request form and declaration relating to the use and publication/broadcast of that material.

IBAC's independent police oversight role

The breadth of IBAC's independent oversight of Victoria Police includes:

• receiving complaints/notifications about conduct of police personnel (including complaints received by Victoria Police, which are mandatorily reported to IBAC)
• assessing allegations about police misconduct to determine which are to be investigated by IBAC, referred to Victoria Police for action, and which are to be dismissed
• IBAC also reviews the outcomes of Victoria Police internal investigations to check they have been investigated thoroughly and fairly. Our reviews may result in recommendations for Victoria Police to strengthen its policies and procedures to address systemic police misconduct issues and risks and improve its conduct of internal investigations.
• conducting 'own motion' investigations (ie we don’t have to have received a complaint) and we have a 'standing own motion' in relation to deaths or serious injuries after police contact
• conducting investigations into serious or systemic police misconduct, including holding private or public examinations
• monitoring and ensuring Victoria Police acts in response to IBAC's investigations and reviews
• auditing how Victoria Police handles complaints
• ·overseeing Victoria Police's compliance with five Acts including the Crimes Act, Drugs Poisons and Controlled Substances Act, Sex Offenders Registration Act, Witness Protection Act and the Firearms Act and commencing in 2022 IBAC will also assume a compliance and reporting function in relation to Victoria Police's registration and management of human sources
• developing and presenting prevention education and training for Victoria Police officers and employees.