Victoria’s anti-corruption commission says drug use is a  “widespread and serious problem”.

A new report by the state’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) focuses on three separate probes into allegations of illicit drug use by police officers.

Operation Apsley - one of IBAC's most intensive and complex investigations into police misconduct – uncovered regular drug use among a number of police officers.

Four officers tested positive for cocaine, MDMA and methamphetamine, with two officers having direct contact with drug traffickers.

Two other investigations backed the finding that illicit drug use and trafficking happens within Victoria Police.

Commissioner Stephen O'Bryan said the problem was widespread.

“Police officers who use, possess or traffic illicit drugs not only make themselves vulnerable to blackmail or coercion and put themselves at real risk of being exploited by organised criminals,” he said.

“They also present a health and safety risk to their colleagues and the broader community when they are making critical decisions or handling lethal weapons whilst impaired.”

He said police saw their off-duty criminality as separate to their professional obligations.

The probes also found systemic deficiencies in Victoria Police's detection and prevention of drug use in its ranks.

Victoria Police has no solid policy on illicit drug use, and randomly tests just 5 per cent of officers each year.

The testing is also rendered ineffective as officers are given advance notice, and there is often a lag between suspicion and testing.

“At the current rate, a Victoria Police officer is likely to be randomly drug tested once every 20 years,” the report stated.

As a direct result of the Operation Apsley, a number of officers are being charged.

Two officers were charged with giving false evidence, misleading or attempting to mislead IBAC, one faced drug offences, another was dismissed, three resigned and three were suspended.

One officer was allowed to return to work with a warning.

IBAC recommends the following steps;

  • Developing an unequivocal policy on the use of illicit drugs
  • Strengthening recruitment processes and protocols
  • Improving drug testing
  • Creating support for officers using illicit drugs