Victoria Police looking into claims officers identifying as ‘gender neutral’ for extra $1300 allowance

Victoria Police is investigating reports some of its officers are gaming the HR system by self-identifying as “gender neutral” in order to gain an extra $1300 a year.

The number of Victoria Police employees self-identifying as “gender neutral” has more than quadrupled since last year, new figures show, as the force confirms it is investigating reports some of its officers are gaming the HR system in order to gain an extra $1300 a year.

Alternative news outlet Discernable first posted on Monday that it was hearing “unconfirmed reports from inside Victoria Police that management is pulling their hair out after a majority of a CIU (Crime Investigation Unit) in Southern Region changed their profile in the HR system to be ‘gender neutral’”.

“Members have confirmed that they will receive an extra ~$1300 per year as a result of doing so and that it appears in their pay as a clothing allowance,” the site wrote.

Have had this confirmed. It started with a few people & has now blown out to about 20-30. They will all now get an extra $1300 a year in pay, tax free, as a result. Management is apparently very unhappy & unsure what to do. Good luck to them questioning how staff identify. https://t.co/g2pTD9sD6T

— Voice For Victoria (@Voice4Victoria) June 27, 2023

Popular Twitter account Voice For Victoria on Tuesday followed up, writing, “Have had this confirmed. It started with a few people and has now blown out to about 20-30. They will all now get an extra $1300 a year in pay, tax free, as a result. Management is apparently very unhappy and unsure what to do. Good luck to them questioning how staff identify.”

Voice For Victoria added, “I’m told this is intended to be a ‘f**k you’ to the organisation only and not the LGBTQI+ community. This is what happens when staff are left under-resourced, overworked and under-appreciated for too long. Would expect the union also has no idea how to handle this situation.”

The number of ‘gender neutral’ officers has quadrupled. Picture: Mark Stewart

A Victoria Police spokeswoman told news.com.au on Wednesday, “Victoria Police is aware of these accusations and will be looking further into the matter.”

According to the Herald Sun, the annual civilian clothing allowance is $2554 for male employees and $3674 for women.

In its annual report last year, Victoria Police only had 32 employees who were so-called “self-described” as neither male nor female.

But workforce figures as of June 27 provided to news.com.au show that number had soared to 139 — 127 of whom are sworn officers. Victoria Police currently employs 22,118 people, 16,249 of whom are police.

One Victoria Police source told the Herald Sun it would be a travesty if anyone was lying about their gender status for extra money and questioned whether it could be a criminal offence.

“It goes to their integrity,” the source told the newspaper. “For VicPol, this would be terrible and its taxpayers’ money, this is ­offensive to genuine non-binary employees.”

Police patrol in Melbourne. Picture: Chris Putnam/Future Publishing via Getty Images

On its website, Victoria Police lays out its strong commitment to LGBTIQ+ inclusion.

“It is so very important that we encourage all employees to bring their whole selves to work and create a work environment where LGBTIQ+ employees feel safe, and are safe, from workplace harm,” Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson says in the message.

“Providing a safe workplace culture for LGBTIQ+ employees is essential if we are to address the harm to LGBTIQ+ people in the community. We all have a responsibility to our LGBTIQ+ employees and the LGBTIQ+ community we serve to be a safe and respectful workforce where all people, regardless of their sexual identity, gender expression or sex characteristics are encouraged to excel and thrive.”

Earlier this year, a Catholic police officer was sacked for “disgraceful or improper conduct” after posting comments on social media and the force’s own internal chat platform, known as Yammer, that allegedly disparaged the LGBTQ community.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Neil Paterson. Picture: Ian Currie/NCA NewsWire

Sergeant Bruno Staffieri, 62, was found guilty of misconduct by Victoria Police’s internal disciplinary panel and dismissed in February, The Age reported at the time.

The 36-year veteran of the force was investigated over 10 comments, including some which were allegedly critical of Victoria Police’s push for LGBTQ inclusion in the workplace.

He also posted on Facebook in March last year regarding an ABC report about a Sydney teacher who founded a gay pride group for students. “What a disgrace,” he wrote. “Bad enough having gay, non-binary teachers, but to have them push their filth on students is a disgraceful crime. Why can’t we sack these teachers?”

Sergeant Staffieri insisted at the disciplinary hearing that he had never discriminated against the LGBTQ community, while conceding some of his comments “may have come across as dismissive or disrespectful”.

“I’m obviously disappointed that I was dismissed after years of impeccable service, but I stand by my Christian beliefs,” he said in a statement to The Age.

Originally published as Victoria Police looking into claims officers identifying as ‘gender neutral’ for extra $1300 allowance