A number of serving Victoria Police officers are under investigation as repeat offenders of predatory behaviour, according to an intelligence report from the state's anti-corruption commission.

The Independent Broad-Based Anti-Corruption Commission has examined 142 allegations of predatory behaviour, including grooming, stalking or sexually assaulting vulnerable members of the community, over a 10-year period between 2004 and 2014.

According to the commission report, the officers targeted victims of domestic and family violence or sexual assault, sex workers, people with mental illness, or those with an alcohol or drug addiction.

"Predatory behaviour by a small number of police officers can have devastating impacts on victims, while undermining the crucial work of the vast majority of their colleagues," IBAC commissioner Stephen O'Bryan said.

Complaints data Two or more allegations against one third of alleged offenders

Two or more allegations against one third of alleged offenders Rural officers 'over-represented' as alleged perpetrators

Rural officers 'over-represented' as alleged perpetrators Offenders: all but one were male

Offenders: all but one were male Victims: all but one were female

Victims: all but one were female Domestic, family violence victims most often targeted

The report, which was handed to police in March, said officers who were found to stalk and sexually assault women were likely to repeat the behaviour.

A third of the alleged offenders were the subject of two or more separate allegations.

The police database was commonly misused to gain the details of the victims and officers from rural areas were over-represented as alleged perpetrators of predatory behaviour, the report found.

Victoria Police is now monitoring and investigating a number of serving officers identified by IBAC as repeat offenders of predatory behaviour.

"It is important for Victoria Police to recognise and act on red flags that may indicate such behaviour by some officers," Mr O'Bryan said.

The report found the behaviour was likely to be part of a pattern "requiring closer examination of officers' complaint histories".

"Due to the vulnerability of the victims in such cases, it is highly likely that predatory behaviour is under-reported," Mr O'Bryan said.

However he said victims could be assured that complaints were being acted upon.

"Our research shows that complaints about predatory behaviour involving vulnerable community members are twice as likely to be substantiated than other types of police complaints."

Predatory behaviour a 'cultural issue'

Eight officers have been dismissed for predatory behaviour since August 2014.

In the 10 years leading up to 2014, five officers faced a disciplinary hearing due to alleged predatory behaviour and none were dismissed.

All were later the subject of similar complaints.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius said it was a disappointing report but all complaints were taken seriously.

"The community can draw some comfort from the fact that where these matters are reported to us, Victoria Police take them seriously," he said.

"They're thoroughly investigated and we do identify the perpetrators and deal with them."

Chief executive officer of Domestic Violence Victoria Fiona McCormack was alarmed at the findings.

"I can't imagine what it would be like to have been traumatised and abused to the point where you have to ring the police, and then have that person who's representing the state, who is there to protect you, to then start hitting on you, making you feel uncomfortable," she said.

"This is a cultural issue, and really, police members are a reflection of the broader community, and it takes time to challenge people's attitudes and their behaviours."

Victoria Police has already set up an internal taskforce to address the problem and one officer has been charged with child sex offences dating back to the 1990s.

"We in Victoria Police have acknowledged an absolute need for us to set the standard here, and this is very much about us, in a very public and transparent way, acknowledging where we're falling short, and committing to leading the way in terms of making our workplace a much more respectful and supportive place for women," Assistant Commissioner Cornelius said.

"[We're] also ensuring that every member of Victoria Police treats members of the community with respect, and offers the care and support to members of the community that they might expect of us."

Victoria Police has also commissioned the state's Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to review sex discrimination and sexual harassment within the force.

That report will be released next week.