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The audit reviews the immense program of work Victoria Police has undertaken since the original Independent Review was launched in December 2015.

The original review found that harm was being inflicted by police upon their colleagues and members of the community. The victims were predominantly women and LGBTI people.

Since the review was launched, Victoria Police has undertaken significant work to change the culture and structures which permitted sexism and harassment to exist in the organisation.

Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton said the progress so far has been pleasing.

“I am proud of the progress we have made towards building a safe and inclusive workplace for all employees in a relative short period of time,” Chief Commissioner Ashton said.

“We have delivered on some significant projects that are having a real impact in the organisation.

Key achievements highlighted in the report include:

• Embedding workplace harm training into recruit induction at the Academy

• Establishing the Stand Practice Leader Network with over 200 leaders so far provided with tools and support to role model behaviours that will help shape safer, more inclusive and respectful workplaces.

• Delivering two key frameworks which are clearing career roadblocks and setting the direction and aspirations for our future workforce: the Diversity and Inclusion Framework and Gender Equality Strategy and Action Plan.

• Creating Women in Policing Local Committees provide support for women including mentoring, issue raising, consultation and support.

• Establishing a new Workplace Harm Unit (‘OneLink’) to support victims internally.

• The work of Taskforce Salus has continued to investigate the most serious offending and hold those responsible to account.

Chief Commissioner Ashton said while this is a good start, the work must continue.

“There is still much work to be done and indeed, the audit has found that harm has continued to be perpetrated even after the first review was launched.

“I again apologise on behalf of our organisation to all those who have experienced it.

“My message is that this will not be tolerated.

“Those who have been victims or witness to this behaviour will be supported and those responsible will be held to account

“I want Victoria Police to be an organisation that provides full and rewarding careers without fear of discrimination or harassment based on gender or sexual orientation.

“This can only be achieved through strong leadership and organisational change which I am personally committed to driving from the top.

“I am confident that we are on the right track to create a policing culture that our employees and the community can be proud of,” he said.

The Independent Review Phase Two Audit is available online from https://www.humanrightscommission.vic.gov.au/home/our-resources-and-publ...