Former Vic top cop Sir Ken bugged

Phones of the Deputy Commissioner, who was ordered to take annual leave after giving notice of his resignation last month, were bugged following a stand-off with the Chief Commissioner, over Simon Overland's suspicions that he was leaking information to the press.

The OPI launched its extraordinary investigation into Sir Ken after receiving a complaint from Mr Overland, shortly after the chief asked Sir Ken to stand down.

Sir Ken has been using his wife's phone since being ordered on leave, for fear his phones were being tapped.

The Herald Sun understands there has been an audit of Sir Ken's phone records and emails.

Sir Ken has backers within the State Government, arising from anger at a perceived belief that Mr Overland was too close to the former Labor government.

Senior police sources have confirmed with the newspaper that the OPI launched its surveillance at the request of police chief commissioner Simon Overland.

Communications of Sir Ken and his close associates have been intercepted for weeks, the report says.

The ministerial staffers targeted in the operation have reportedly been identified as supporters of Sir Ken.

Ombudsman George Brouwer is also believed to have launched an investigation into the OPI probe of Sir Ken and whether it has abused its powers in doing so.

Sir Ken last month revealed he would leave Victoria Police in August, but just days later Mr Overland ordered him out of the force with immediate effect.

Police Association secretary Sen-Sgt Greg Davies wanted to know what crime Sir Ken was suspected of committing that would have led to his phones being bugged.

"It would be very nice to know what major offence, that would carry at least seven years in prison, has triggered the ability to get a warrant to intercept his phone, that the OPI or anyone else believes Ken Jones committed," he said.

Sen-Sgt Davies said if it was true Sir Ken's phone was being bugged, the community may never know why.

"Just as with Noel Ashby and Paul Mullett, we will never know what offence he has supposed to have committed," he said.

It's understood that the OPI has been monitoring communications of Sir Ken, his wife, and close friends for weeks.

The OPI has also reportedly focused on the communications of one or more people working in sensitive government positions, who are identified as Sir Ken's supporters.

Victoria Police refused to comment last night.