AFP accused of political 'dirty tricks' as officers vote on enterprise agreement

Ahead of the ballot a pop-up message appeared on the internal police computer system encouraging staff to vote "yes" to the proposed deal, a position favoured by AFP management.

Employees voting "yes" would get an immediate pay rise, the pop-up message read, while a "no" vote would send staff straight back to the bargaining table.

Despite the message, 80 per cent of employees voted against the pay deal, with 87 per cent turnout in the ballot on Monday afternoon.

Earlier on Monday, Australian Federal Police Association president Angela Smith described the message as a "blatant misuse" of police resources.

"My members were horrified by the fact that someone in the AFP saw fit to use an operational computer system to push their industrial message," she said.

"We understand the AFP intended on leaving this message on the system for over a week in the lead up to the voting period, however, they saw the error of their ways and removed it after only four hours.

"This type of management tactic and the needless attacks on the association in both the lead-up and during the voting period has contributed to a growing sense of unease amongst my members."

The pop-up appeared as officers accessed the AFP's criminal intelligence database and had to be clicked through to proceed.

So far no one within the AFP had accepted responsibility for the "unacceptable and deliberate political message", Ms Smith said.

The police union expected the strong "no" vote that came through on Monday and would now look to secure a better deal for employees.

"We are strongly advocating a no vote, because we refuse to accept this is the best agreement the AFP can offer," Ms Smith said.

"My members are being asked to support an enterprise agreement that does not support operational outcomes.

"The pay rise being offered does not compensate our members for the loss of any current conditions or entitlements. This is a time for consolidation."

On Monday morning acting AFP Commissioner Michael Phelan said he was "disappointed" to learn of the pop-up message, which remained on the system for around four hours until it was pulled down.

"I was disappointed to say the least, to be quite frank, when it first came out," he said.

"It was unfortunate that that message came out and as soon as anybody in the executive knew we had it pulled down straight away."

Acting Commissioner Phelan said employees and management would recommence negotiations if the vote was unsuccessful.

"Obviously if the new enterprise agreement gets up we move to the new agreement.

"If the vote doesn't get up then the current terms and conditions continue and we'll go back to the negotiating table."

Frontline AFP staff have become increasingly frustrated in recent months, as the fight leaves 6500 employees without a pay rise since 2015.

Hundreds of ACT Policing officers are among those affected by the industrial dispute.