Vic police IT overhaul sparks privacy fear

CHANGES to Victoria Police's database information system that will allow officers remote access has sparked privacy fears.

Victoria Police shirts

AN overhaul of Victoria Police's database will give officers access to confidential information from remote locations.

But the move has sparked breach of privacy fears and concerns it will make the system more vulnerable to leaks.

Victoria Police said the changes were part of a long term upgrade of a complicated database system and would deliver significant efficiencies for front line members.

"Our goal is to provide police with the capability to access the information they need securely, where and when they need it," Victoria police said in a statement.

But experts have warned of "a very real risk of breaches of privacy".

"It's very confidential information and having it available from officers' homes when they're not on duty or on the beat, in a tablet form, is not particularly desirable because invariably it will fall into the wrong hands," Liberty Victoria president Jane Dixon told Fairfax Media.

Victoria Police said the move would free up police time.

"This is about delivering huge benefits to the frontline, freeing up police from time-consuming administrative tasks so that they can concentrate on providing the very best services to the community," Victoria Police said.

Deputy Commissioner Lucinda Nolan told Fairfax security was the top priority.