An elite police unit repeatedly accused of using excessive force is the subject of complaints from within its own ranks about alleged bullying and safety breaches during a training drill that left an officer with a serious eye injury.

The Critical Incident Response Team, which is tasked with responding to armed sieges and violent offenders, has also been accused of having antiquated leadership and a "toxic culture'', according to several disgruntled members.

A health and safety representative and long-standing CIRT member has told WorkSafe Victoria that he was the target of a sustained vendetta by senior figures after raising concerns about the welfare of CIRT officers during training exercises.

A still from CCTV footage showing police at Inflation night club.

A WorkSafe spokesman confirmed it had received a complaint and was making inquiries, and the matter is believed to have been discussed during a meeting with CIRT management on May 16.