The six South Australian police officers arrested following investigations by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption allegedly stole alcohol and tools.
Four male and two female officers, from the Sturt local service area's seven-person Operation Mantle unit, were charged on Monday with theft offences and abuse of public office.
The accused officers ranged in age from 27 to 53 and include one sergeant and a number of senior constables.
Police are still questioning a seventh officer from the unit, which is focused on low-level drug dealing and street offences.
SA Police Commissioner Gary Burns says SAPOL's anti-corruption branch discovered "irregularities" in the plain-clothes unit's operations early this year.
The officers allegedly stole alcohol, tools and electronics but Commissioner Burns stressed there was no indication of drugs being stolen, and other Operation Mantle units had not been implicated.
"The allegations are very disappointing," he told reporters in Adelaide.
"But (they) shouldn't be seen as a reflection on the other 4500 police officers who go out and do their work on a daily basis to the best of their ability.
"This is isolated to a small group of people."
SAPOL referred the matter to the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption, Justice Bruce Lander, who headed a joint investigation.
Justice Lander said he was disappointed the probe, which began earlier this year, had ultimately led to the arrests.
"SAPOL has a reputation for integrity and these officers have let SAPOL down," he told reporters.
"I hope the existence of my office ... is in itself a warning to people in public administration."
The first annual report of the state ICAC is due to be tabled in parliament on Tuesday.
Premier Jay Weatherill said the alleged offences amounted to an "awful" breach of trust but the public should have confidence that ICAC was doing its job.
"Good governments have nothing to hide, and we wanted to make sure that there was the highest public trust in our most important public institutions," he told reporters.
All six officers have been suspended and bailed to appear in court on December 19.
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