"Long live Hitler" Australian police salute Nazi..."Up to a year in prison."

In Victoria, Australia, police are expected to be disciplined and prosecuted for so-called "Nazi salute" in front of other employees, Australian AAP news agency reported.

A police instructor (65), who teaches domestic violence at a Victoria police school, made a Nazi salute in front of trainees and police school staff for two consecutive days on the 8th and 9th.

When this became known, Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton told a news conference that it happened a year after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, exacerbating the sadness and suffering felt by the Jewish community, adding, "I want to deeply apologize not only to the Jewish community but to the entire community."

Patton said the officer has worked for more than 40 years and has no history of extreme views and no motive for the Nazi salute has been identified.

At the same time, he said, "Motivation is not important and the behavior is unacceptable," adding that the police were suspended on the 11th and likely to be prosecuted.

Australian federal law and Victorian law criminalize the use of Nazi gestures in public or the public display of the Nazi symbol Hakenkreuz (hook cross).

Local media said the officer could face up to one year in prison or a fine of 23,000 Australian dollars.