A former senior Australian Federal Police officer with almost three decades' experience will fight allegations he abused his position as one of the country's top cops.

Key points: The charges allegedly relate to possessing a prohibited police gun and the discussion of a child's homework

The charges allegedly relate to possessing a prohibited police gun and the discussion of a child's homework Ramzi Jabbour's lawyer says the decision to charge the former top officer over the "trivial" matters is "extraordinary"

Ramzi Jabbour's lawyer says the decision to charge the former top officer over the "trivial" matters is "extraordinary" Mr Jabbour was criticised last decade for his role in the investigation of Mohamed Haneef, who was wrongly accused of terrorism

Former deputy commissioner Ramzi Jabbour will appear in the ACT Magistrates Court next month on charges of abuse of public office and possessing a prohibited firearm.

The charges relate to the discussion of a child's homework task and possession of a police-issued firearm while he was a sworn police officer, his lawyer said.

Mr Jabbour was stood down from the AFP in March pending a professional standards investigation. He resigned in August.

The AFP referred Mr Jabbour to the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity for investigation, which recommended the charges.

Both the police and the commission declined to comment because the matter was before the court.

But Mr Jabbour's lawyer, Michael Kukulies-Smith, described the allegations as "trivial" and said his client denied any impropriety.

"My client will be pleading not guilty to the charges," Mr Kukulies-Smith said.

It is quite extraordinary that charges have been brought for such trivial matters against a police officer who served the community with distinction for 30 years.

"The charges will be defended and my client looks forward to clearing his name."

Officer involved in botched Haneef case

Mr Jabbour was appointed deputy commissioner in September 2015 for a five-year term, having started with the federal police in 1990.

His three-decade career spanned community policing, organised crime and counter-terrorism.

The officer was criticised for his role in the bungled Mohamed Haneef case last decade.

Freed: Mohamed Haneef prepares to fly home in 2007 after charges against him were dropped. ( Tony Phillips: AAP )

Dr Haneef was working as a hospital registrar on the Gold Coast when he was wrongly accused of involvement in a botched 2007 terrorist attack in Scotland.

The doctor was detained for more than three weeks and had his working visa cancelled, but an independent inquiry later cleared him of any wrongdoing.

In 2010, Dr Haneef reached a settlement with the Federal Government, receiving a confidential compensation payout for wrongful arrest and detention.

The Clarke inquiry into the case's handling found there was never enough evidence to justify detaining and charging Dr Haneef.