"We are still working to ascertain how and why this comment was on his camera." Ms Thomson posted the photos and several videos online, saying she believed officers were deliberately covering their cameras and ID badges during the protests, and this demonstrated a "problematic culture amongst the police". EAD Hippy - slang for 'eat a dick'. Credit:Kate Thomson "I would firstly like to draw attention to the officer in picture," she posted. "He has a sticker over his camera reading 'EAD hippy', meaning 'eat a dick hippy', demonstrating prejudice against hippie protesters and an intention to keep his camera off."

"From what I saw it is clear to me that there is a culture amongst police to conceal their badges and support other officers in doing so." Loading While a police media spokesperson initially said that the image may have been doctored, by 7pm, the force had confirmed its veracity. "The community can be reassured this is not the type of behaviour we expect from our officers and we are extremely disappointed by the situation," Victoria Police said. "This behaviour detracts from what was otherwise a professionally conducted operation and tarnishes the reputation of all of our officers.

"Victoria Police will be investigating the matter further with involvement from Professional Standards Command and disciplinary action will be considered as part of this." During the anti-mining protests, police have been accused of shoving activists, using pepper spray and batons. One protester was hospitalised after being injured by a police horse and dozens of activists have been arrested. Police use pepper spray on protesters as they tried to stop conference members entering IMARC. Credit:AAP Meanwhile, protesters, who vowed to be "as disruptive as possible", blocked entrances to the conference and harassed mining delegates. Senior police have repeatedly defended the force's tactics this week, saying officers exercised "fine restraint" in the face of protesters who were harassing and spitting on mining delegates as they entered the conference.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has accused environmental activists of "economic sabotage" and "indulgent and selfish practices" and said the government will look at legislation limiting potential damage to businesses. On Friday morning, a group gathered outside the convention centre to speak of their experiences of the Blockade IMARC Alliance protest this week, accusing police of brutality and violence. Protesters taunted delegates at the international mining conference in Melbourne this week. Credit:AAP Blockade IMARC Alliance protest organiser Emma Black said Mr Morrison's comments would "absolutely not" deter them from future protests. "Protesters have always had to deal with this and no we won't be deterred, if anything were emboldened by this. And the further they try to repress us and the further they unleash on us the worse it looks for them," she said.

She believed they had "absolutely" achieved their goals this week. "This is a long term fight, we don't expect we are going to change the corporate mining industry, global capitalism, the state's connection and investment to destructive mining practices in one week." She said she did not believe any of the behaviour of the protesters had crossed the line or was unacceptable. But Victoria Police doubled down on its defence of its officers on Friday and accused protesters of being "deliberately confrontational" to police. "Their intention to cause us harm and the members of our community harm is evidenced by their desire to hide their identity and avoid accountability for their unlawful activity, their violence and their abuse of the rights of law abiding citizens," Victoria Police said in a statement.