The handling of unpaid coronavirus fines is "frustrating" Victoria's powerful police union, which says its members are unhappy that many penalties will apparently be dropped.
But Victoria Police says there has been no change to how the fines are being processed.
Premier Daniel Andrews is staying out of the matter, saying any decision is coming from Chief Commissioner Shane Patton.
Victorian Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said on Monday that many fines would not be enforced, adding it sent the wrong message and could make life harder for his members as they tried to do their jobs.
The Age reports that police have been told to issue cautions for all but the most serious unpaid fines.
More than 19,000 fines were handed out last year.
"It's a wee bit frustrating," Mr Gatt told 3AW on Monday.
"None of this was fun for our members. It was bit of a thankless job.
"What you potentially do is ... you make that enforcement job of the police a little bit harder.
"We don't want to do that. The job is tough enough for them."
Mr Andrews said it was up to Mr Patton to discuss how fines were being processed.
"I will leave him to speak to the reasons why he has done that," Mr Andrews said.
The premier said he had not spoken to Mr Patton about the fines issue, adding he was unsure if the chief commissioner had discussed it with Police Minister Lisa Neville.
But Victoria Police issued a statement saying there had been no change to how it administers fines.
"Victoria Police's approach to supporting the chief health officer has been consistent throughout the COVID-19 pandemic response," the statement read.
"From the start we have made clear that fines are issued for deliberate and blatant breaches of the chief health officer directions.
"This approach has not changed and police will continue to support the chief health officer by enforcing the directions that are in place at the time."
Victoria Police said all infringement notices were reviewed using a three-tiered system.
"This approach is standard practice, provides direction, consistency and parity, and ensures our continuing enforcement approach is appropriate and the issuing of fines properly targeted," Victoria Police said.
Shadow Minister for Police David Southwick said the government had sent mixed messages in regards to the COVID fines.
"Daniel Andrews has raised the white flag on his chaotic COVID fines," Mr Southwick said.
"It was only in October that Daniel Andrews said that those who didn't pay these fines would be prosecuted and that he would go after them."
"Victoria Police have been thrown under a bus today, make no mistake."
