ROGUE police would be more easily sacked under a proposed reform of the Victorian force's disciplinary system.

Under new proposals, officers found to have committed serious misconduct or whose performance was consistently poor would have to show why they should not be dismissed.

Senior police have for years been frustrated by the difficulty involved in dismissing corrupt officers.

Assistant Commissioner Luke Cornelius, of the Ethical Standards Department, said police should have the same freedom to sack for serious dishonesty or criminal behaviour as any other employer.

"If a member's knocking off cash, we want a system that allows them to be dismissed on the spot," he said.

An appeals board would be able to award compensation rather than reinstatement.

Police involved in less serious breaches would be dealt with like other public servants.

This would mean treating the vast majority of misconduct cases as performance matters rather than as a disciplinary matter.

Mr Cornelius said the force needed to do away with its archaic "Breaker Morant" methods of dealing with lower-range breaches.

Fines, admonishments and cautions would be done away with, but demotions and transfers would remain.

"One of the things the community tells me is that they don't want police sacked for stuff-ups," Mr Cornelius said.

Changes would be sought under which members could not be personally sued, provided their conduct was appropriate and lawful. (Webmaster; "and who exactly would determine that ?")

All Victoria Police members have been invited to respond to the proposals.

"It's about getting away from harming the people we want to retain but allowing us to deal with the people who, because they are crooks, shouldn't be in the job," Mr Cornelius said.

Suspended Police Association secretary Sen-Sgt Paul Mullett said some elements of the plan appeared acceptable, but "the devil's in the detail.

Source:  Herald Sun   05.06.2008