Roads Policing Assistant Commissioner Glenn Weir was detected travelling at 58km/h in a 50km/h zone by a mobile speed camera on Manningham Street in Parkville about 10.55am on February 29.
He was driving an unmarked police vehicle at the time.
Weir was driving to a meeting at the time and was of the belief he was in a 60km/h zone.
“I take full responsibility for this error and am mortified it has occurred,” he said in a statement.
“I’ve spent my entire career advocating for road safety and this incident proves nobody is immune from making a mistake on the road. No matter how far over the limit, all speeding is unacceptable.
“For someone in my position this is especially true. I am truly sorry.”
The state recorded a horror road toll last year, with 295 lives lost, up 57 compared with 2022.
Weir, who is one of the most senior police members in the state, fronted media for a press conference shortly after the statement was released this afternoon.
He said there was “no excuse” for his actions and said he was “embarrassed”.
“I often say we all need to be better on the roads and I’m a living example of that,” he said.
“I genuinely thought it was a 60km/hr zone as I always set my cruise control to under the limit but made a mistake.
“Even though I’m eligible for a warning – I’m going to take the fine.”
Weir will pay the $337 fine and lose one demerit point, after receiving the fine on Friday.
It’s understood he will keep his job and won’t face disciplinary action.