Victoria Police officers’ emails too “racist and offensive” to be released, Police chief admits

MELBOURNE - Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Simon Overland has said the series of offensive emails shared among the state’s police officers are too “racist and offensive” to be released publicly.

According to reports, at least 100 officers could face the sack for these emails, which are said to contain racist, homophobic and pornographic content.

Overland did not confirm details of the emails, but said some were “extremely serious, and offensive”.

“We’re not talking about one item, we’re talking about multiple items,” News.com.au quoted Overland, as having told ABC Radio.

He also refused to confirm if the emails contained racist comments against Indian or African citizens, against whom there have been a string of racist attacks in the recent months.

“I’m not going to describe exactly the nature of the material in question. If the Victorian public were aware of the nature of that material, I believe that it’s of such a nature that it would cause significant concern within the Victorian community,” Overland said.

He further said some of the emails raise “real questions about a number of individuals’ suitability to continue with Victoria Police”.

The police chief also informed that the ethical standards department has been using computer experts to track the email.

Two officers have already been given a “Section 68″, whereby Overland notifies the officers that he has lost confidence in them and they must show cause why they should not be dismissed. (ANI)