Victoria's police chief has apologised to the Jewish community after a sergeant was suspended for allegedly performing Nazi salutes while on duty.
The 65-year-old woman is accused of making the banned gesture on Tuesday and Wednesday in front of colleagues at the state's police academy, as well as using the words "Heil Hitler".
Victoria Police's chief commissioner Shane Patton said he was "disappointed" by the sergeant's alleged conduct, describing it as "abhorrent".
"There's simply no place for this type of conduct in our society, let alone in this police force," Victoria Police's chief commissioner Shane Patton told reporters in Melbourne on Saturday.
"For that reason, I want to profoundly apologise to the Jewish community, but also the community as a whole."
Patton said the Victorian community and police force were "better than this".
"I couldn't believe that anyone in this day and age would involve themselves in such appalling abhorrent conduct, let alone in a week where we've seen such an outpouring of grief and support for the Jewish community, who would be rightly upset, offended and disgusted at what's occurred here," he said.
Victoria Police said the sergeant was interviewed by Professional Standards Command detectives on Saturday.
A brief of evidence is due to be prepared regarding the incidents and the sergeant is expected to be charged on summons.
The sergeant has been in the police for over 40 years and an instructor at the Centre for Family Violence for the last six.
She has been suspended with pay while an investigation takes place.
, except for genuine academic, artistic, religious or scientific purposes such as a theatre performance or history class.
Victoria Police's chief commissioner Shane Patton said he was "disappointed" by the sergeant's alleged conduct, describing it as "abhorrent". Source: AAP
"To have a person who's entrusted with protecting and serving us doing this evil gesture is a betrayal of the badge," he told SBS News.
"It undermines public trust and confidence, and it's a direct assault on the values and principles that Victoria Police embodies.
"The beast of antisemitism is spreading like wildfire, not just in Victoria, but across the nation — and the Jewish community feels under siege. Even Holocaust survivors are saying that they never imagined seeing this outburst of hatred."
The Police Association Victoria described the allegations as "serious".
"The Police Association has consistently condemned this offensive gesture and urged the government to toughen legislation and penalties against those who perform it," a spokesperson told SBS News in a statement.
"That stance applies to everyone in our community.”
In a statement to SBS News, a Victorian government spokesperson said that while they will not comment on specific cases that may come before the court, "we will always condemn hateful behaviour in the strongest possible terms."
"These acts have no place in Victoria — that’s why we have banned the public display of the Nazi salute and associated hate symbols."
This week, Jacob Hersant became.
Jacob Hersant appeared in court in Melbourne this week. Source: AAP / Con Chronis
He was then captured saying "Australia for the white man, heil Hitler" before walking away.
Hersant walked free from court but Magistrate Brett Sonnet has indicated he will be sentenced to jail on 8 November.
Maximum penalties for Nazi symbols and gestures across Australia
NSW: 12 months prison and/or an $11,000 fine for an individual. Corporations face a $55,000 fine
Victoria: 12 months prison and/or a $23,000 fine
Queensland: six months prison or a $11,291 fine
Western Australia: five years prison, or two years prison and a $24,000 fine
South Australia: 12 months prison or a $20,000 fine
Tasmania: three months prison or a $3,900 fine for first-time offenders, which doubles for further offences within six months
ACT: 12 months prison and/or a $19,200 fine
Federal: 12 months prison
With reporting by the Australian Associated Press
