Victoria's Chief Police Commissioner, Simon Overland, caused a security scare at Canberra Airport yesterday.

Federal Police officers were called to a security check point yesterday when bullets were found among Mr Overland's possessions.

He carries a gun for security, and while he had remembered to remove it from his bag before entering the airport, he forgot about the ammunition.

He voluntarily handed the magazine in for confiscation.

A statement from Victoria Police says Mr Overland has been spoken to by the AFP and he fully acknowledges the breach which was a 'genuine oversight'.

The statement also says Mr Overland has also contacted the director of the Office of Police Integrity to brief him about the incident.

The AFP is not commenting.

Qantas has launched a full investigation into the matter.

The airline wants to know how the bullets passed unnoticed through security at Melbourne Airport when the Commissioner flew to Canberra.

The investigation will involve the company contracted to handle security at the Qantas terminal, the Federal Police and the Office of Transport and Security.