UPDATE 12.10pm: CHIEF Commissioner Simon Overland has revealed three officers had lost their jobs for drink-driving in the past six months.

It comes as Victoria's top road cop Ken Lay revealed this morning one police officer has been caught drink-driving every week for the past two months.

The deputy commissioner said a total of 198 officers have been caught drink driving since 2000, including one officer blowing 0.3.

And he told 3AW eight officers had been caught in the past two months.

"It is a really worring trend (that) sends out a terrible message," he said.

"What it does to the reputation of the organisation is a bit hard to get a grip of.

"Unfortunately we have some members who simply don't get it (and) they are putting themselves and the community at risk."

It is believed several officers are facing disciplinary proceedings.

Mr Lay said no police had been detected drug-driving and none were driving police vehicles.

But he said since 2000, 10 officers a year had been nabbed drink driving, on average.

He said the highest reading an officer blew was 0.3 in 2002.

This year the highest has been .085.

Mr Lay said it was unclear if they members, that included constables, sergeants and detectives, would be sacked.

"The truth is if members get detected drink drivintg the chances are they will be sacked.

"(But) I coinsider each one on its merits.

"Be certain of one thing, I certainly take it very seriously."

Mr Overland said the figures were "unacceptable".

"It’s something we take extremely seriously because it’s about being perceived to do the right thing and certainly not working against the messages that we’re trying to pass through the rest of the community around responsible use of alcohol and particularly around responsible use of alcohol around motor vehicles," he said.

Mr Overland said the average blood alcohol reading of officers caught was down to about .075.

"It’s still obviously above the legal limit so it’s not okay, but it’s reducing so that’s a pleasing thing, but we are concerned about the numbers," he said.

Mr Overland said some police officers had failed to take on the drink-drive message.

"I think people are people. People make mistakes and people make errors of judgment and do the wrong thing," he said.

"Police officers unfortunately are people and so they will do that, hopefully at a lesser rate than the general community, but from time to time they will make mistakes."

Mr Overland said officers caught drink-driving would not be immediately sacked.

"It is a discipline offence so they need to be dealt with through a discipline hearing. There are a range of sanctions we can apply. There are different circumstances. I mean if someone is just over the limit and they’ve clearly just made an error of judgment - they’ve got it wrong, which can happen – they probably won’t be dismissed, but if someone has obviously had total disregard for the road rules, they’re well over the limit, there might be other aggravating factors present, then clearly dismissal is a very real option.

"The message is very clear: Don’t do it."

A TAC spokeswoman said it supported the actions of Victoria Police.

"The Transport Accident Commission and Victoria Police work hand in hand every day to reduce road trauma," she said.

"There is no doubt that when a police member is caught drink driving it undermines our joint road safety message.

"However the TAC supports the action Victoria Police have taken."

Originally published as Police busted drink driving