Victoria Police management created a culture that discouraged officers from seeking help for mental distress, an investigation has found.

The landmark review, commissioned by Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton last October, found the force's management style was a core weakness.

It found many members were fearful there would be consequences for admitting to mental distress and senior police exerted a "suck it up" attitude to trauma.

If you or someone you know needs help, call: Lifeline on 13 11 14

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The review found this contributed to a widespread and entrenched stigma around mental illness, a reluctance to seek help and a failure to recognise the warning signs among officers.

People-focused leadership, which the report said can help protect people's mental health, was also found to be lacking.

The report made 39 recommendations, including fundamental change in leadership culture, compulsory mental health training for all officers, funding for early intervention programs and screening of retirees, with on-going support for work-related issues.

Commissioner committed to change

Chief Commissioner Ashton said he was committed to implementing the report's recommendations.

"I am heartened by the authors' strong belief that if we enact the plan laid out for us, we can significantly improve the wellbeing of our entire organisation," he said.

"But the findings leave no doubt that we have a lot of work to do. As an organisation we must fundamentally change the way we view mental health.

"We need to build a culture that better understands mental health. A culture in which our employees feel safe to ask for help without fear of judgement or prejudice."

There have been three suicides by sworn officers since the review commenced in November 2015.

Since 2000, 23 employees — 19 police and public service officers, and four public service employees — have died by suicide.

Five were killed in the line of duty over the same period.

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