Drug use within Victoria Police is placing officers and the broader community at risk, according to Victoria's anti-corruption commission, but the state's police union has hosed down the claims.

A special report by Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) tabled in Parliament focused on three separate probes into allegations of illicit drug use by police officers.

Operation Apsley, one of IBAC's most intensive and complex investigations into police misconduct, revealed a group of police officers were regularly taking drugs.

Four officers tested positive for drugs including cocaine, ecstasy, MDMA and methamphetamine, and two officers had direct contact with drug traffickers.

Two other investigations also uncovered illicit drug use and trafficking within the force.

Commissioner Stephen O'Bryan said the "snapshot" pointed to a more widespread and serious problem for Victoria Police.

Findings: llicit drug activity exposes police officers to compromise and corruption

llicit drug activity exposes police officers to compromise and corruption Illicit drug use is a safety issue for officers and community

Illicit drug use is a safety issue for officers and community Drug use within the force erodes confidence

"Police officers who use, possess or traffic illicit drugs not only make themselves vulnerable to blackmail or coercion and put themselves at real risk of being exploited by organised criminals," he said.

"They also present a health and safety risk to their colleagues and the broader community when they are making critical decisions or handling lethal weapons whilst impaired."

He said investigators found police rationalised their off-duty criminality as being separate to their obligations.

Investigation exposed systemic deficiencies at Victoria Police

IBAC Commissioner Stephen O'Bryan said illicit drug use and police work were "fundamentally incompatible". ( Supplied: Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission Victoria )

IBAC said its probe uncovered systemic deficiencies in Victoria Police's approach to preventing and detecting drug use in its ranks.

The report stated Victoria Police had no unequivocal policy on illicit drug use, and only randomly tested about 5 per cent of officers each year.

It said testing was ineffective due to advance notice, and lags between suspicion and testing.

"At the current rate, a Victoria Police officer is likely to be randomly drug tested once every 20 years," the report stated.

The investigations substantiated allegations against eight officers and charges were laid.

Overall, two officers were charged with giving false evidence, misleading or attempting to mislead IBAC, one was charged with drug offences, one was dismissed, three have resigned and three are currently suspended.

One officer returned to work after receiving a warning.

Drug use in force not systemic, union says

Police Association secretary Ron Iddles denied the problem was "systemic".

"We don't agree with IBAC's assessment that eight instances of illicit drug use out of a membership of more than 15,000 by any means represents a systemic problem," he said in a statement.

"Our members don't want to work alongside members who are drug-impaired or who those who might engage in illegal behaviour.

"But if there's one thing that today's IBAC findings tell us is that as a policing community we have more work to do to improve the range of health and wellbeing services available to members."

In a statement, Victoria Police said the use of illicit drugs by any officer was a significant concern.

Police said they were committed to reviewing current practices and policies regarding drug use, recruitment and testing.

Recommendations to Victoria Police: Develop a clear policy on the use of illicit drugs

Develop a clear policy on the use of illicit drugs Strengthen recruitment processes and policies

Strengthen recruitment processes and policies Improve drug testing

Improve drug testing Create welfare and support arrangements for officers using illicit drugs

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