Multiple lawsuits have been filed in the Supreme Court of Victoria, alleging that a toxic culture of bullying within Victoria Police has caused officers to suffer severe psychiatric injuries, rendering them unable to continue their work.
Four separate legal writs, lodged in early September, claim that senior members of the force were responsible for the emotional and psychological distress experienced by rank-and-file officers. These claims are currently pending determination by the court.
One of the plaintiffs, former Detective Sergeant Kieran Murnane, spent approximately 24 years with Victoria Police before experiencing a breakdown. Court documents indicate that from 2018 to 2023, while serving on Bendigo's Proactive Targeting Team, Murnane endured alleged mistreatment including shouting, false performance claims, targeting, ostracism, and blame-shifting by officers identified as Detective Senior Sergeant James Sullivan and Inspector Dean Clinton. Murnane alleges that these superiors either participated in or ignored his deteriorating mental health. He has been unable to work since December 2023, having been diagnosed with major depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
Arnold Thomas & Becker, the law firm representing Murnane and the other plaintiffs, stated that Victoria Police has a duty to ensure the psychological well-being of its employees, similar to any employer. The firm is representing all four officers who filed claims in September.
Another lawsuit, filed by Officer Elliott McGibbony, details an extended campaign of obstruction and interference allegedly orchestrated by Superintendents Mick Hermans and Paul Tymms, along with Senior Sergeant Collin Chammings. McGibbony's claim includes a particularly damning allegation that Snr Sgt Chammings attempted to involve his ex-wife in a campaign against him, allegedly pressuring her to reinstate harassment allegations. McGibbony also claims that his superior demanded private medical records and asked intrusive personal questions, actions he asserts were designed to frustrate his ability to perform his duties. Superintendent Mick Hermans was accused of interfering with McGibbony's medical authorization to work and demanding private medical records, actions noted in the writ. McGibbony has been unable to work since December 2022.
Rachell Field's claim names Superintendents Paul Hollowood and Dee Dummett, and a senior sergeant whose identity is protected. Field alleges that Mr. Hollowood assigned her an unmanageable investigation, denied her support, and subjected her to excessive working hours. Ms. Dummett is accused of pressuring Field over a relative's case, assigning her excessive hours, and engaging in bullying behavior.
Nathan Jones, a sworn Victoria Police officer from 2003 to 2023, claims to have suffered a psychiatric injury due to the actions of senior officers at Bellarine Police Station in Geelong. In 2022, under the command of Inspector Peter Nicholls and Superintendent Peter Ward, Jones was suspended over an arrest incident, and later arrested and interviewed himself. He was subsequently suspended again in 2023 over a separate, older arrest allegation. Jones alleges these events resulted in major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, cognitive decline, and anxiety, attributing these injuries to the negligence and breach of duty by Nicholls and Ward, including unwarranted investigations and unreasonable punishment.
All four officers are suing the State of Victoria for damages, citing failures by supervising officers.
The lawsuits emerge against a backdrop of documented concerns regarding the internal culture at Victoria Police. A 2025 coronial investigation into suicides among Victoria Police members over a 15-year period identified work-related stressors as a factor in the majority of cases. Bullying, excessive workloads, and rostering pressures were noted as prominent organizational factors in a significant subset of these matters. Mental health diagnoses, including depression and PTSD, were common among the deceased officers.
Victoria Police has publicly stated its commitment to a safe and respectful workplace, asserting that bullying, discrimination, harassment, and victimisation will not be tolerated. Chief Commissioner Mike Bush has emphasized the importance of a safe and inclusive environment for all employees. He has also overseen the creation of a new role, Chief Officer, Health Safety and Wellbeing, to further strengthen the commitment to creating safe workplaces.
Arnold Thomas & Becker lawyer Ciara Smith commented that workplace bullying can have devastating effects on individuals. She stressed that police officers and other employees deserve a psychologically safe workplace and that allegations of bullying must be taken seriously and investigated independently, transparently, and without bias.