news item
First PSO's Deployed to Stations
On a historic day for Victoria’s public transport system, the first Protective Services Officers (PSOs) will begin working at Flinders Street and Southern Cross stations this evening.
The public transport PSOs will work with transit safety police as they patrol the stations from 6pm to last train.
Assistant Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the PSOs were now an important part of the Victoria Police Transit Safety Division.
"Southern Cross and Flinders Street are two of our busiest train stations and it is highly fitting that this is where they undertake their first shifts," Mr Crisp said.
"We have a mentoring program in place where PSOs will work with transit safety police during their shifts as they continue their training on-the job."
"I have met our first squad of PSOs and they are looking forward to having a presence and making a difference at Victoria’s train stations."
"But these PSOs are more than that - they are part of a wider plan to create the country's safest public transport system."
"We know that this is something that commuters want and we are proud to deploy our first PSOs today."
PSOs will initially work at Flinders Street and Southern Cross and over coming weeks will also start deployment at Richmond, North Melbourne and Footscray stations.
The first 18 PSOs graduated from the Victoria Police Academy on Friday after an intensive 12-week training course.
They started work with the Victoria Police Transit Safety Division on Monday and spent the last two days undergoing induction training at stations and the Victoria Police Centre where they will be based.
PSO Joe Bianchi, from Collingwood, said that he was excited to start work.
"The 12 weeks of training at the academy was both rewarding and challenging and I feel prepared to start work on the public transport system this week," PSO Bianchi said.
"I'm looking forward to working with transit safety police and think that we will develop a strong partnership."
While on duty at train stations, PSOs have a number of powers, which include:
- Arrest and detain – including arrest for drunk and disorderly offences
- Search people and property – and seize items such as weapons and alcohol
- Issue on-the-spot fines – including for graffiti offences
- Issue a direction to 'move-on' from the area.
The second squad of 21 public transport PSOs entered the Victoria Police Academy last Monday and new squads will now regularly enter the training program throughout the year.
As more PSOs graduate deployment will expand across the city loop and other inner-hub stations.
To become a Protective Services Officer apply today at www.policecareer.vic.gov.au
