A high ranking police officer once touted as a future Victorian chief commissioner has been charged by anti-corruption investigators with leaking sensitive information.

Commander Stuart Bateson is facing three charges of unauthorised disclosure of "restricted data" after an investigation by Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).

It is unclear what Mr Bateson is alleged to have leaked, or to whom, but his charges have sent shockwaves through the force.

Commander Stuart Bateson when he appeared on the ABC program Q&A.

He is the most senior police officer to face charges since former Assistant Commissioner Noel Ashby was charged a decade ago with lying before a police inquiry. The charges against Mr Ashby were later dropped.