A police officer who took on his bosses over allegations they were bullies has reached a confidential settlement days before the case was meant to go to trial.

Former Victoria Police officer Matthew Cocks had been a career policeman, working his way up through the ranks over more than 30 years. That’s before a series of unfortunate events ended his dream job.

In a statement of claim lodged with the County Court of Victoria, Victoria Police was accused of no less than 26 breaches of its duty of care amounting to what was described as a ‘police tort’. 

Among those complaints were allegations his superiors made him work excessive hours and then made complaints about his performance. 

Mr Cocks, who had risen to the rank of Detective Sergeant, claimed he was subjected to humiliation, harassment, ostracism and micro-managed by two senior officers. 

Furthermore, the experienced officer claimed he had not been offered any counselling by the force and had complaints about his own mental health dismissed.

Mr Cocks’s lawyer, Arnold Thomas & Becker’s Shalyn Mathew, said the former officer’s allegations appeared to show the culture at Victoria Police was ‘quite rife’ with bullying. 

At present, Arnold Thomas & Becker is pursuing at least 20 matters against Victoria Police for psychological injuries caused by harassment and/or bullying at work. 

‘All of these allegations appear to show that the culture at Victoria Police is quite rife with this kind of behaviour, and particularly among senior staff members,’ she said. 

‘No one should feel victimised at work. We hope that Victoria Police look at their culture and processes and make real change in this space.’

Mr Cocks told Daily Mail Australia he believed his former employer was ‘still living in the 1970s’ when it came to staff welfare. 

‘I am happy to have closed this chapter with VicPol and feel that justice has been served,’ he said. ‘I can now move forward with my life – I will focus on spending time with my wife and family and travelling Australia in our van.’

Read more about this story on the Daily Mail.