Homicide squad detective and former Carlton reserves player Tony Keane has joined a beefed-up AFL integrity department as an investigator.

Keane will report to recently appointed senior investigator Gerard Ryan.

Detective Senior Constable Keane has been a member of Victoria Police for the past 13 years.

Prior to joining the Homicide Squad he was part of the Driver Taskforce that investigated the death of Carl Williams at Barwon Prison.

Keane was also an accomplished footballer, playing reserves for Carlton, in the TAC Cup Under-18s for the Bendigo Pioneers and coaching country teams Tyntynder and Wycheproof-Narraport.

AFL general counsel Andrew Dillon welcomed Keane’s appointment.

“Mr Keane’s experience as a Victoria Police detective combined with his understanding of Australian football at both elite and community levels will serve the AFL well,” said Dillon in a statement on Thursday.

“The appointment of these two highly experienced investigators to join our specialist intelligence analysts underlines the commitment of the AFL to continue our proactive stance to counter the emerging integrity risks that face all sports in Australia.

“Following the establishment of the integrity unit in 2008, the AFL is determined to remain at the forefront of work to protect the integrity of the game and to keep our players and officials safe from the threats of doping, corruption and organised crime.”