Allegations some officers have altered their workplace profiles to rort clothing allowances

Victoria Police is investigating claims officers are identifying as gender neutral to gain better expenses in a move that’s been criticised as “offensive to genuine non-binary employees”.

Victoria Police says it is “looking into” claims some employees are describing themselves as gender neutral to scoop up higher clothing allowances.

The allegations have surfaced amid a three-fold year-on-year surge in the number of force employees identifying as non-binary.

Talk emerged on social media this week that some non-uniformed officers were altering their workplace profiles in the organisation’s internal human relations system.

An Instagram page called discernibleofficial, which has almost 30,000 followers, posted: “We have 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’.

There has been a recent surge in the number of force employees identifying as non-binary. Picture: David Geraghty

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.”

In response, a force spokesman said: “Victoria Police is aware of these accusations and will be looking further into the matter.”

The Herald Sun has been told the annual civilian clothing allowance is $2554 for male employees and $3674 for women.

Last year’s Victoria Police annual report listed 32 employees as “self-describing” as neither female or male.

At May 31 this year, the number had soared to 111 – 101 of whom were sworn members.

It’s alleged some employees are describing themselves as gender neutral to scoop up higher clothing allowances. Picture: Getty

One Victoria Police source said it would be a travesty if anyone was lying about their gender status for extra money.

That source questioned whether anyone knowingly doing so could be committing a criminal offence.

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

The Victoria Police website says it has a strong commitment to LGBTIQ+ issues.

It has an inclusion action plan that “reaffirms our commitment to writing the wrongs in our past”.

“We acknowledge the history of exclusion for many Victoria Police LGBTIQ+ employees. 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,” the website says.

A 36-year veteran of the force was dismissed this year after falling foul of command over comments on social media and the force’s own chat platform. Some of the posts that landed former transit safety division sergeant Bruno Staffieri in hot water related to LGBTIQ+ issues.

Three years ago Victoria Police confirmed it was reviewing the design of pants worn by frontline officers after some female employees reported they did not fit well.

In 2012, the force moved to a darker blue uniform, with former Victoria Police boss Ken Lay saying at the time the 1979 design had become outdated. Mr Lay said the new uniform, called salute blue, would ensure a more streamlined look.