A former professional standards policeman has fronted a Melbourne court to face charges arising from a high-level internal investigation into the alleged bullying of an ex-police officer who later died in an apparent suicide.

Senior Constable Michael Brian Walsh was suspended without pay last month after he was charged on summons with nine counts of improperly accessing the force's Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) database.

Senior Constable Michael Brian Walsh is suspended without pay from his current role. Credit:Eddie Jim

Fairfax Media understands the charges stemmed from an internal investigation into claims a gay former policeman had been bullied about his sexuality while serving in the force.

Michael Maynes, 30, died in October last year, having apparently taken his own life, three-and-a-half years after he left the force.