On the face of it, you could think Victoria's police are doing well on the home front.
Over a five-year period, not one sworn police officer was convicted of a family violence offence.
But a closer look reveals a very different picture, one that has been all too obvious to victims of family violence perpetrated by the state's policemen and women.
Complaints withdrawn or 'unsolved'
Victoria Police data shows family violence incidents involving police employees are more likely to have no offence recorded, complaints withdrawn, or have "unsolved" as the outcome of the investigation.
But in a presentation, Victoria Police admitted its "differential response" to family violence incidents involving employees was "not resulting in confidence to report".
Police employees who experienced family violence said "management often prioritises support and wellbeing for respondents [alleged perpetrators] as they navigate a clearer process for investigation and response".
An ABC News investigation this week revealed this is not an isolated problem: police across Australia are too often failing to take action against officers accused of domestic violence.
What the data reveals
In 2019, there were 299 recorded incidents of family violence involving police employees — nearly double the 2015 figure of 153 — according to a Professional Standards Command (PSC) intelligence brief.
When adjusted for population growth this represents an 81 per cent increase in reports of family violence involving Victoria Police employees between 2015 and 2019.
It compares to an increase of 4 per cent in the general public.
It remains to be seen whether the increase is a result of more incidents or a greater willingness on the part of victims to come forward.
Despite a growth in reported incidents, a separate PSC intelligence brief reveals that only 82 sworn officers were subsequently charged and not one conviction was recorded during the five-year period from 2015 to the end of 2019.
Of the members who appeared in court, one was found guilty with no conviction recorded, three went into diversion programs or received good behaviour bonds. No-one was sacked.
Assistant Commissioner for Family Violence Command Lauren Callaway told the ABC that both she and the Assistant Commissioner of Professional Standards Command Tess Walsh have recognised that this was a long-standing problem that Victoria Police needed to fix.
"This is not solely a family violence issue. We also need to look at how we improve our internal disciplinary practices," Ms Callaway said.
She said there were "a number of reasons" why charges against police might have been withdrawn, including a lack of evidence as determined by prosecutors or a victim withdrawing their complaint.
"As an organisation, we regularly review any trends that indicate that matters are not reaching court and why," Ms Callaway said.
"We are responsible for managing processes and actions that lead to prosecution, and the disciplinary processes applied to police offending and misconduct.
"We should be taking matters involving employees to court where evidentiary thresholds are met."
Do police treat their own differently?
Alleged police perpetrators are being treated differently — even Victoria Police is not shying away from this fact.
The number of reported family violence incidents involving Victoria Police employees almost doubled between 2015 and 2019.
Documents obtained by the ABC under Freedom of Information reveal systemic issues with how Victoria Police investigated its own, with police admitting "current policies and procedures are failing to ensure members always respond adequately and appropriately to family violence incidents involving employees, both in terms of perpetrator accountability and victim support".
The admission reinforces concerns raised earlier this year when a mother and son told the ABC about the abuse they suffered at the hands of a Victorian police officer.
Michelle (not her real name) revealed that not only was she "verbally admonished" by police when she reported the abuse, but that she had her privacy breached on at least two occasions.
In a presentation titled Improving Responses to Family Violence Involving Employees, Victoria Police said: "We are policing ourselves differently. We could better support victims. We are not clear on our approach to perpetrators."
The presentation identifies some of the challenges faced by police investigating domestic violence allegations involving employees, including the potential for conflicts of interest and confidentiality breaches, and the need to balance employee welfare with the safety of victims.
So what's the solution?
One of the obvious problems in the force's response to family violence perpetrated by its own is the absence of clear guidelines.
Prior to 2019, the PSC said it was "almost certain" the Victoria Police Manual contained no specific instructions on how family violence units should respond to incidents involving Victoria Police employees.
At the time there were three different documents giving conflicting information about how to deal with family violence involving police employees.
Ms Callaway said Victoria Police was developing a standalone policy to address gaps and confusion in its current advice and encourage victims to come forward without fear of adverse consequences.
She said it was hoped the policy would be completed by mid-2021.
"Once victims do report, we expect a comprehensive investigation and an appropriate response, ensuring victims are supported and confident in a police response right through to the end," Ms Callaway said.
In 2019, Victoria Police released an implementation plan to improve responses to employee family violence, which included the development of the new standalone policy for responding to and managing family violence incidents involving Victoria Police employees, as well as improving welfare support, information sharing systems, and additional training.
