Victoria Police officers under investigation

FIRST ON 7: Their job is to uphold the law, but some members of Victoria Police are more intent on breaking it.

Dozens of Victorian police officers are under investigation for crimes such as drug trafficking, stalking and assault.

Force command says the behaviour is disappointing and breaches the trust of the wider community.

"It's very saddening that we have to charge some of our police members with criminal offences, but we will do it," said Assistant Commissioner Steven Leane.

7News has obtained Freedom Of Information documents outlining criminal charges within Victoria Police between September 2013 and 2014.

Of most concern for police is an upcoming trial for one of its members charged with trafficking amphetamine, possessing counterfeit money and theft.

"Some of them we've found that are charged with drug offences in recent years perhaps were drug users before they joined the organisation," Assistant Commissioner Leane added.

There is also an alarming number of family violence orders being ignored, and among the other charges are 40 assault allegations.

There's also illegal fire arm possession, child pornography possession, theft and selling explosives.

Police want to stress that in an organisation of 16,000 men and women, the number of its members facing criminal charges is just 32.

Still, they say that small figure is unacceptable.

"I think in all professions we have to be aware that there will be some bad apples, but we do everything we can to root those bad apples out," Assistant Commissioner Leane said.

And for those bad apples, Assistant Commissioner Leane has a final message:

"The standards that the community expect of Victoria Police are very high. If you're not prepared to live by those standards, you need to find another job to do."