Suspended police officers rake in big bucks before leaving the force Assistant Commissioner Emmett Dunne says Victoria Police has no control over the length of suspensions due to court proceedings, members being sick and complex investigations. VICTORIA Police has spent more than $6 million paying out officers suspended from duty over the past six years. Cases included officers suspected and convicted of assault, corruption and drug offences. More than half of the 207 police members suspended on full pay since January 2007 no longer work in the force. One inspector was paid $159,000 before his employment was terminated - the equivalent of more than one year's salary. A senior constable - who can currently earn up to $80,705 a year - pocketed $173,787 in wages before leaving the force. The figure was revealed in documents obtained under Freedom of Information laws which captured cases between January 2007 and May 2013. The $6.104 million figure included a senior constable who was charged for several incidents including one charge of assault by kicking. He has been suspended for two eight-month periods since February 2007 on full pay while awaiting trial. He was convicted and sent to jail in 2010 and his employment was terminated. It is not known if Victoria Police have tried to recover the money. Another senior constable from a southeastern police station was suspended with pay in May 2012 following an allegation of misconduct in public office. It was alleged he had sex with a teenage girl who has filed a sexual misconduct complaint against an AFL footballer. Assistant Commissioner Professional Standards Command Emmett Dunne said Victoria Police had no control over the length of suspensions due to court proceedings, members being sick and complex investigations. "The Victorian community rightly expects police to act in accordance with the highest professional and ethical standards," he said. Where the behaviour of a member compromises the integrity of Victoria Police or the expected standards of conduct and professionalism, they are dealt with effectively and efficiently. Once the matter has been finalised at court or at a disciplinary hearing and a matter has been found proven, Victoria Police has an option under the Police Regulation Act to consider recovery of salaries. Former director of the Office of Police Integrity Michael Strong hit out at lengthy suspensions in report in June 2011 saying it was "not economical for the organisation and is a poor result for the community." He warned it meant less police on the ground as positions could not be filled while an officer was suspended.