A secret group of men called The Brotherhood, including former and current senior police, is operating in Melbourne, the Victorian ombudsman says.

In a report tabled to parliament today, ombudsman George Brouwer says there are up to 350 men on the circulation list, including many current and former police officers, two state MPs, members of the public service and private organisations.

Mr Brouwer says The Brotherhood, which was formed in 2003 by a police inspector, was established to serve the interests of the founder, who controls membership of the group.

‘‘The culture of the organisation ... encourages exclusivity and secrecy, with the potential for illegal and improper exchanges of information or favours,’’ Mr Brouwer said in his report.

The founder invites a range of people to speak at lunches and entertain and purportedly provide an insight into their respective fields of expertise.Men on the circulation list have been the subject of criminal and corruption investigations, including a former Victoria Police officer with alleged links to an organised crime figure, a former Australian Wheat Board executive accused of involvement in the Iraq kickbacks scandal, and the manager of a table-top dancing club regulated by the police.