‘Just can’t fathom it’: Vic police commissioner disgusted as sergeant suspended after allegedly performing Nazi salutes

A veteran police officer has been released without charge after allegedly performing banned Nazi salutes in front of colleagues.

A police sergeant has been interviewed and released without charge after allegedly performed Nazi salutes in front of colleagues.

The people development command officer was suspended with pay on Friday evening following allegations she performed a Nazi salute twice this week.

Both alleged occasions were in front of colleagues at the Victoria Police Academy on Tuesday and Wednesday while the officer was on duty.

The 65-year-old woman was interviewed by detectives in relation to the allegations on Saturday and “released without charge”, according to a police spokeswoman.

“The officer has been released without charge at this stage as the investigation remains ongoing,” she said.

“A brief of evidence will be prepared regarding the incidents. Any charges arising would be expected to proceed on summons.”

Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton called the alleged incidents “abhorrent”.

Fronting media cameras on Saturday, Victoria Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said the first alleged incident occurred while approaching two other employees at the end of the day, while the second was following a family violence training scenario.

“The sergeant involved had been involved in that, but it had nothing to do with anything to do with a Nazi gesture and was completely out of context,” Mr Patton said.

Mr Patton called it “abhorrent conduct”, and confirmed there is a “very strong chance” the officer will lose their job if found guilty.

“I want to express, just here at the outset, my disappointment, my disgust, my anger at this appalling conduct,” Mr Patton 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.”

The officer, who has worked in the force for 40 years and is an instructor in the family violence division, didn’t have a history of extreme views, with the motive still unknown.

However Mr Patton said “motive doesn’t matter”.

“The conduct should not, cannot, and will not be tolerated, and it just shouldn’t have occurred,” Mr Patton said.

“It lets down our reputation. I couldn’t believe that anybody in this day and age would involve themselves in such appalling, abhorrent conduct.

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

Mr Patton also apologised to both the Jewish community and the community as a whole while addressing the media on Saturday.

“This occurs in a week where we saw people around the world coming together in solidarity to support the Jewish community...When we’re one year after the worst loss of life they’ve had since the Holocaust,” Mr Patton said.

“It’s been a time of profound sadness this week. The grief for the Jewish people has been evident, and this will only exacerbate that grief and pain they’re feeling.”

The officer has been suspended on pay. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

He also thanked the academy staff and recruits who reported the two incidents.

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dr Dvir Abramovich, who campaigned for criminal penalties for the Nazi salute, said “Victorians deserve better”.

“I feel like I have been kicked in the stomach,” Dr Abramovich said.

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

“In moments like these, we are reminded that the fight against intolerance is ongoing so let this be a moment for reflection, action, and a renewed commitment to a rooting our such behaviour.”

Dr Abramovich also commended the swift action of Victoria Police, adding he hopes “it will take measures to show the world that Victoria will not tolerate hate, period” while noting the incident underscores the need for “continued and enhanced training within law enforcement”.

The alleged incidents follow the banning of Nazi salutes, symbols and gestures in Victoria in October 2023.

The first person was found guilty of performing the banned gesture this week.

He performed the gesture in October last year, days after the new laws came in.