A Ballarat police sergeant has been charged with unlawful assault after punching his next-door neighbour, leaving her with a black eye and a broken nose.

Sergeant David Berry has been transferred to other duties after an investigation by Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command into the alleged assault on Samantha Mitchell in May last year.

Ms Mitchell is also pursuing civil action against Sergeant Berry.

Speaking to the ABC last year, she alleged she was the subject of harassment by other Ballarat police officers after lodging a complaint.

David Berry admitted to chasing Samantha Mitchell and said he struck her in "self-defence". ( Facebook )

She said she was assaulted after knocking on Sergeant Berry's front door, seeking help after a dispute with her partner escalated.

"I heard a loud male voice tell me to 'f*** off', which really startled me," Ms Mitchell said.

In a statement to police, Sergeant Berry admitted he chased Ms Mitchell as she ran from his property. He said he then hit Ms Mitchell in self-defence.

"I immediately threw a single punch with my right hand, fearing she was about to hit me and not knowing if she was holding anything," Sergeant Berry said.

Ms Mitchell — herself a former police officer, from Queensland — reported the assault the following day at the Ballarat police station.

But before she could make a statement, a constable approached her and served her with an intervention order listing Sergeant Berry as the person needing protection.

"Police hold fears for [Sgt Berry] as there have been numerous ongoing issues with [Ms Mitchell] confronting [Sgt Berry] and his wife when alcohol affected," said the order.

Sergeant Berry is due to appear in the Ballarat Magistrates' Court on July 5.

Samantha Mitchell said she was trying to get help when she was punched. ( Supplied )

A state parliamentary committee is examining the system for oversight of police corruption and misconduct in Victoria, including the role of the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).

In March, IBAC found "concerning deficiencies" in the way Victoria Police reviews serious incidents, including those in which members of the public are hurt.

Victoria Police has been under increased scrutiny since the publication of video footage showing the alleged use of excessive force by officers in several incidents in Melbourne and Bendigo.

The videos, released as part of an ABC/The Age investigation, prompted calls from human rights lawyers for the creation of a new independent body to investigate misconduct accusations.

Four police officers were suspended after the videos were published, and one was reassigned to alternative duties. IBAC is continuing to investigate.