TASMANIA'S Police Commissioner Jack Johnston has stepped aside while an investigation is completed into the suspected disclosure of official secrets.In a statement Premier David Bartlett said he had been informed that Mr Johnston had been interviewed under caution last night.``I'm here to inform you, at the earliest opportunity, of a sequence of events which has led to the Police Commissioner temporarily standing aside today,'' Mr Bartlett said.``This morning I was informed by the Deputy Police Commissioner and the Director of Public Prosecutions that last night the Police Commissioner, Mr Jack Johnston, was interviewed under caution on certain matters.``They informed me that there is a reason to suspect that a crime may have been committed involving the disclosure of official secrets. ``The investigation into this matter is ongoing.``Following this meeting I spoke with the Police Commissioner and he has voluntarily stepped aside from his position while the investigation is undertaken."Mr Johnston told his staff of the investigation earlier in the day in a memo.``I want all members of the Department of Police and Emergency Management to be the first to know that there has been ongoing investigations over a period of time into a number of allegations,'' Mr Johnston said.``One of those allegations has centred around me. I have agreed to stand aside as the Commissioner of Police until the conclusion of the investigation and the determination of the extent of the evidence by the Director of Public Prosecutions.``Deputy Commissioner Darren Hine will be Acting Commissioner until further notice,'' Mr Johnston said.Mr Bartlett said in his statement that he was not making any judgment about the veracity of the allegations against Mr Johnston.``But his decision is clearly the most proper response to these circumstances. The investigation will take some weeks. Once the investigation is completed a file will be handed to the DPP for his consideration. ``That process of consideration could take several more weeks,'' Mr Bartlett said.``As a result of these circumstances, I have asked Deputy Police Commissioner Darren Hine to temporarily assume the role of Acting Police Commissioner. ``I am advised that in no way will this compromise the ongoing investigation.``This is now a matter for the Police and the State's legal system and for that reason I cannot comment any further on the specifics of this investigation.``I will however give a commitment that as I am able, I will ensure that the Tasmanian people are fully informed on further developments.``While it is not appropriate for me to answer questions on this investigation, I do expect you will want to ask me about the Government's position on the stablishment of an independent investigative body for Tasmania.``I can inform you that I will be taking to Cabinet on Monday a submission to the Joint Select Committee on Ethical Conduct containing a proposed Government position on these matters.``I will inform you of the result of Cabinet's deliberation on this matter.''