IBAC proposes psychometric testing for Victoria Police promotions after Brett Guerin scandal

A scandal that exposed a high-profile cop for spouting racist remarks online could spark the use of psychometric testing while promoting Victoria Police officers.

The state’s anti-corruption watchdog believes psychometric testing should be used when promoting senior police following an embarrassing scandal involving a high-profile officer who used fake identities to spout racist, homophobic and sexist remarks online.

Former Assistant Commissioner Brett Guerin was exposed as a vicious secret online troll in 2017 and later claimed his conduct was a means of dealing with job stress.

Guerin – who then led the force’s ethical standards command – used online pseudonyms, such as “Vernon Demerest” and “Clive Howlett-Jones” to post hundreds of comments, including racist and homophobic slurs, on social media from 2016 – 2018.

Among his worst posts was one suggesting a “jigaboo … needs a lash” and another labelling Argentine soccer players as “greasy, diving, cheating dagoes”.

While no criminal charges will be laid, an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) investigation found Guerin committed misconduct, with some posts including information he obtained using sensitive Victoria Police information technology.

The findings of the investigation, known as Operation Turon, were released on Tuesday.

It examined hundreds of complaints against Guerin related to inappropriate social media use and claims decisions he made while Assistant Commissioner of Professional Standards Command were comprised by the views he shared online.

The investigation found Guerin used racist and homophobic language and his seniority contributed to the seriousness of his conduct.

Former Superintendent Brett Guerin gives evidence in the Supreme Court. Picture: Tony Gough

However it found his online alias did not impact his decision-making at work.

In a statement to IBAC, Guerin apologised for his conduct.

“Mine is a salutary lesson for others that there is, ultimately, no anonymity on the internet and nothing posted should be considered temporary,” he said in a statement dated September 13, 2021.

“Venting on social media is an unhelpful, and, ultimately, destructive way to deal with the stresses one faces.”

IBAC recommended Victoria Police consider psychometric testing for officers being considered for leadership roles in the wake of the scandal.

This involves evaluating a person’s attitudes and behaviours, among other factors.

The watchdog also called on the force to review its social media policy, including the use of pseudonyms.

Following Guerin’s resignation in 2018, Victoria Police revised its social media policy and is in the process of reviewing the viability of psychometric testing for the promotion of senior leaders.

IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich AM QC said the force is still troubled by serious corruption and misconduct risks, including the unauthorised disclosure of information by members on social media.

“This is demonstrated by the complaints IBAC continues to receive, and a recent prominent case that has resulted in charges being brought against several officers for their roles in distributing police information relating to a person in custody,” Commissioner Redlich said.