Victorian sergeant suspended after allegedly performing Nazi salutes in front of colleagues

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has slammed a Victorian sergeant over allegations she performed Nazi salutes and said “heil Hitler” in front of colleagues at the Police Academy this week.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton has slammed the alleged behaviours of a Victorian police sergeant accused of performing Nazi salutes in front of colleagues this week.

A Victoria Police sergeant has been suspended after allegedly performing multiple Nazi salutes in front of colleagues this week.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton said the officer allegedly said “heil Hitler” on two occasions.

The veteran officer allegedly performed the salute to two officers on Tuesday before allegedly repeating it again on Wednesday. The second alleged incident reportedly followed a debrief session with Victoria Police Academy recruits.

It was reported to a duty officer later that day.

The second alleged incident followed a debrief session with academy recruits. Picture: Stuart Milligan

The officer has been a member of Victoria Police for more than 40 years and works as an instructor in the family violence division.

Mr Patton on Saturday slammed the allegations as “abhorrent conduct” and said it was completely unacceptable.

He said there was a “very strong chance” of the member being sacked if found guilty.

“I want to express, just here at the outset, my disappointment, my disgust, my anger at this appalling conduct,” he said.

“There is simply no place for this conduct in society, let alone our police force.

“I will not tolerate this type of conduct. I just can’t fathom it.”

Mr Patton said it was unclear what motive was behind the shocking alleged actions. He said there was no history of extreme views of the officer.

“It lets down our reputation. I couldn’t believe that anybody in this day and age would involve themselves in such appalling, abhorrent conduct,” he said.

“I couldn’t believe it when I heard it, we’re better than this.”

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton slammed the alleged conduct.

Mr Patton said the allegations coming to light just after the anniversary of October 7 was hurtful to the Jewish community, who would “rightly be upset, offended and disgusted”.

“I want to profoundly apologise to the Jewish community, but to the community as a whole,” he said.

“This will only exacerbate that grief and pain.”

The charge carries a potential of 12 months in jail or a fine of about $23,000.

The sergeant was suspended on Friday evening following a criminal investigation into the allegations.

She will be interviewed on Saturday.

Mr Patton said police regularly undergo training, but that was not a factor.

“This isn’t a training issue, this is a conduct issue by one police officer who is alleged to have done something anther should never have occurred,” he added.

“This is a choice by a single person who’s made a very bad choice.”

Victoria Police confirmed the member has been suspended on pay.

“Professional Standards Command are investigating the incidents which occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday this week while the female officer was on-duty,” a police statement read.

The allegations follow the banning of Nazi symbols and gestures in Victoria.

The officer’s alleged conduct coincided with white supremacist Jacob Hersant’s court hearing on Wednesday.

Victoria Police charged the neo-Nazi with the offence after he performed the gesture to media outside the County Court last year.

He became the first Victorian to be found guilty of the offence on Wednesday and will be jailed.

He will be sentenced at a later date.

Originally published as Victorian sergeant suspended after allegedly performing Nazi salutes in front of colleagues