Former police officer charged with taking bribes to misuse his powers

A former police officer took bribes in return for using his position to misuse information, influence others and commit blackmail over four years in Victoria, the state’s anti-corruption watchdog has alleged.

The Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission on Friday revealed it had laid 48 charges against four people as part of Operation Bredbo, which investigated serious misconduct by a former detective sergeant at Victoria Police.

The former officer was at the centre of the investigation, alongside three associates who were also charged.

IBAC alleges the former detective sergeant was paid by associates, with the allegations he took advantage of his position to misuse information, improperly influence others and commit blackmail ranging between 2018 and 2022.

The man, in his 60s, has been charged with 17 counts of misconduct in public office, six counts of blackmail, 10 counts of bribery and one count each of attempting to pervert the course of justice and supply of an audiovisual recording.

Among the police officer’s associates, a 58-year-old man has been charged with four counts of bribery and two counts of blackmail. A second 58-year old man has been charged with four counts of bribery, and a 64-year-old woman has been charged with three counts of bribery.

All four are scheduled to appear at Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on February 5, with IBAC declining to comment further now the allegations are before the court.

In October 2024, The Age revealed former detective sergeant Wayne Dean – known to former police colleagues as “Donger” – was the target of Operation Bredbo and received full pay while he was under suspension for almost two years until his resignation in January 2024.

Friday’s announcement is the first public detail of IBAC’s work for 2026.

In November, IBAC Commissioner Victoria Elliott told The Age she wanted wider powers to fight graft, and more freedom to talk openly about her work.

Elliott said the watchdog was hamstrung by legislation that required excessive secrecy and limited the scope of its investigations.

A dashboard set up by IBAC last year shows that between July 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, it received 449 allegations of bribery or inducements and 71 complaints of extortion.

The biggest category was inaction, with more than 14,400 allegations of authorities failing to act on potential corruption risks.

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