The great white shark interrupted the alcohol and drug testing operation by gliding around the small police dinghy off the South Australia coast.
The officers had checked more than 30 boats at Tapley Shoal, west of Adelaide, on March 30 before they noticed the giant fish.
The 4.5 metre great white, affectionately named Noah, joined the operation and started following the officers.
South Australia Police followed by a great white shark. Source: South Australia Police
"Police launch Investigator 2 had a close encounter with a great white shark today while patrolling at Tapley Shoal, about 9 nautical miles east of Edithburgh," South Australia Police wrote on Facebook.
"Noah wasn't keen on being breath tested and our Water Operations Unit officers were happy to oblige!"
Melbourne angler Mark Oaks who was fishing at Tapley Shoal, spotted the shark and said it followed the police boat for nearly 10 minutes.
"We kind of had thoughts of changing our Bonds [underwear] a couple of times," Mr Oaks told ABC Radio.
"So we powered up and cruised out of there but it just kept following us for 10 minutes.
"At the same time, the coppers were out there with their big patrol boat and they had another two guys on the inflatable."
Mr Oaks said the shark approached his motor on several occasions before the police left the area.
The video, posted on South Australia Police Facebook's page, has been watched more than 148,000 times and has gained international attention.
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