An inquiry has found “systemic failures” in the interview processes and mental health policies of Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC).

A report (available here in PDF form) has made 10 recommendations, including that IBAC use qualified staff to monitor welfare of witnesses during investigations.

“Victoria's integrity agencies have significant coercive powers to compel witnesses to provide evidence,” Inspector Eamonn Moran QC said.

“With those powers comes responsibility.”

In one case highlighted by the review, a Victoria Police officer attempted suicide twice while being “coercively examined” during a police misconduct investigation.

The officer had been missing sleep due to stress and was mourning the loss of a close family member, but despite this, IBAC failed to consider the welfare of the witness.

The report said a few simple questions would have uncovered the fatigue and stress the officer was suffering.

IBAC only relied on draft notes that warned the witness could be “abrasive”.

After her second suicide attempt, IBAC called for assistance from Victoria Police's Professional Standards Command, instead of a doctor or ambulance.

In a separate incident, a witness had been called to attend IBAC on the same day she had an appointment to discuss voluntary admission for inpatient psychiatric services.

The IBAC knew the officer had expressed suicidal ideation on two occasions and was at risk of self-harm, but the review found some within the organisation assumed the officer was seeing a GP to avoid work.

Others had labelled her suicidal thoughts “not genuine”.

The report recommended IBAC make sure that witnesses know they can leave the premises during an adjournment, and for IBAC staff to undergo mental health awareness training.