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

The state’s top cop 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.

The state’s top cop has apologised profusely after it was alleged a senior Victoria Police officer performed the Nazi salute and said “heil Hitler” to other members this week.

The veteran sergeant, who has been a member of the force for more than 40 years, was on Friday evening suspended after she allegedly formed the illegal salute while on duty.

It has been alleged she approached two members on Tuesday and performed the salute while saying “heil Hitler” before allegedly repeating the action on Wednesday.

The second alleged incident 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.

The officer was on Saturday released without charge after she was quizzed by the Professional Standards Command. They will prepare a brief of evidence and the member is expected to be charged on summons.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Saturday slammed the alleged actions 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.”

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton slammed the alleged conduct.

Mr Patton said it was unclear what motive was behind the shocking alleged actions.

He said there was no history of extreme views or mental health issues surrounding the veteran officer in question.

“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 added.

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

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”.

He acknowledged the Jewish community would be “let down” by the member’s alleged actions.

“I want to profoundly apologise to the Jewish community, (and) to the community as a whole,” he added.

“This will only exacerbate that grief and pain.”

Chair of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich called the allegations ‘beyond disturbing’. Picture: Josie Hayden

Chairman of the Anti-Defamation Commission Dr Dvir Abramovich said the alleged action was a “slap in the face” to every member of the Jewish community.

“I feel like I have been kicked in the stomach. Victorians deserve better,” he said.

“It is a slap in the face of every Holocaust survivor and a spit on the memory of the diggers who died to defeat Hitler’s regime.

“A Nazi salute isn’t just a gesture — it’s a horrifying symbol of genocide, terror, and anti-Semitism and for a police officer to wield this emblem of hate is beyond disturbing.”

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 was interviewed by detectives on Saturday morning.

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 that 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.

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