Cops told to tell investigators if Laidley pictures were sent to them

Many of those 50 have come forward to assist the investigation and tick themselves off as part of the process, and were not sent the photos directly from the original source.

Those within Victoria Police have been told to notify Professional Standards Command if they received the photos, say where they got them from and if they forwarded them to anyone.

Two police officers have been suspended and are expected to be charged with unauthorised disclosure of information.

The Age reported earlier this week that Victoria Police could face a civil lawsuit over the widespread sharing of the photographs.

A key aggravating factor in a civil case would be proving the psychological harm to Mr Laidley, whose lawyer told the court on Sunday he was suffering from a psychiatric illness.

Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton on Monday said the photos were shared with six other people, including civilians, via the messaging platform WhatsApp.

“This is one of the most appalling breaches and I cannot recall a breach of someone’s privacy like this,” he said.

On Monday, Senior Constable Shane Reid was stood down and Victoria Police’s internal investigators are examining his phone to trace others that shared the photo.

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Senior Constable Reid is facing charges for allegedly sharing the photo. The charges are unauthorised disclosure of information, an offence that carries a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment.

Senior Constable Reid came forward to his supervisor when the photos started to be shared widely.

A male senior constable from the southern-metropolitan region has also been stood down and is expected to be charged with unauthorised disclosure of information.

The Age has viewed the photographs of Mr Laidley and decided not to publish them.

With Tammy Mills, Cameron Houston