VICTORIA Police has made secret payouts totalling tens of thousands of dollars to immigrant youths in Melbourne who have accused officers of physical brutality and racism.

The Age has learnt of confidential settlements between the police force and four African-born men and one Afghan who claimed they were beaten, falsely imprisoned or racially abused by officers in northern and western suburbs.

The financial settlements mean the allegations will never be heard in court.

In one case, according to court documents, police were accused of bashing and threatening to shoot Abdullah Abdi in 2007, when he was 15.

''If you want to f--- around with the police, this is what you get you f---ing black c---,'' Abdi alleged he was told. ''I'll f---ing shoot you, you black c---.''.