Police data abused by officers

The lives of informers and police officers have been put at risk over the "gravest" of leaks from inside the force.

HUNDREDS of police members have been caught abusing confidential information stored on the operational intelligence database.

Dodgy officers have gained unauthorised access and improperly used sensitive details from the secure LEAP computer system 214 times in the past five years, the Herald Sun can exclusively reveal.

"The unauthorised disclosure of protected law enforcement data is taken very seriously by Victoria Police - this action that can cause significant risks to police and the community, undermine serious investigations and diminish the confidence that the community has in Victoria Police," said Assistant Commissioner Emmett Dunne, of Professional Standards Command.

The alarming news comes two days after Victoria Police announced that raids on three properties - one directly linked to a high-profile outlaw bikie gang - had uncovered hundreds of pages from the LEAP network.

Chief Commissioner Ken Lay said the major information link was "one of the gravest breaches of police security" he had seen in his 39-year career.

The Herald Sun can reveal 196 officers, including a superintendent, have been caught misusing the main police database.

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay and Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana detailing their concerns about a police information leak. Picture: Tim Carrafa

A further 15 members of staff at Victoria Police have also illegally abused the network for their own gain.

Three senior sergeants were guilty of improper use and unauthorised access to the database twice each.

The force is investigating officers with links to outlaw motorcycle gangs, as part of Taskforce Eagle launched in March. Detectives within the taskforce spearheaded raids three weeks ago, which uncovered top-secret police information, including the names of police informants.

Police believe a junior officer is at the centre of the scandal and will be charged.

Taskforce Keel was set up this week to ascertain if the unnamed officer, who has been suspended without pay, had bikie links before joining the force.

Victorian Police Chief Commissioner Ken Lay - pictured with Assistant Commissioner Steve Fontana - described the release of crucial police information as "horrible" and "damaging". Picture: Tim Carrafa

Assistant Commissioner Dunne said that LEAP database breaches would not be tolerated. "This kind of action is not tolerated and members (could be) dismissed," he said.

jon.kaila@news.com.au

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Back off fare evaders, officers told

Inspectors have been told not to chase fare evaders. Source: Herald Sun

TRAIN ticket inspectors have greater freedom to use force to apprehend fare evaders than those on trams.

Metro inspectors are able to use "reasonable levels of force to stop a person from running away" while Yarra Trams inspectors have been told to keep a safe distance between themselves and fare evaders at all times.

Metro spokeswoman Larisa Tait said officers on trains also had a no chase policy, similar to Yarra Trams.

"Our authorised officers are required to make a reasonable attempt using reasonable levels of force to stop a person from running away if they don't have a valid ticket," Ms Tait said.

"If a person does run away our policy is not to give chase to pursue the offender unless a more serious crime has been committed."

A Yarra Trams memo leaked to 3AW said authorised officers on trams must not chase offenders and "must not block the path of, or attempt to physically detain a person who attempts to walk/run away".

It also said officers must always maintain a safe distance between themselves and a person being spoken to - if possible.

"Authorised officers must not surround or corral any person being spoken to regarding an offence," the policy said. The memo said they were also not allowed to chase offenders who had assaulted an authorised officer.

Yarra Trams spokesman Adam Woolcock said the policy reminder was sent to staff after 10 ticket inspectors were injured between January and March.

"The number of assaults in the first three months of this year is double the number that occurred over the same period in 2012.

"Yarra Trams reminded authorised officers that their personal safety, and that of passengers, is of paramount importance at all times," Mr Woolcock said.

"Some fare evaders show aggressive and violent behaviour and it is our duty to ensure the safety of our employees and other tram passengers."

michelle.ainsworth@news.com.au

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