Victoria Deputy Premier Peter Ryan

Victoria Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan

PSO Recruitment Drive Underway To Make Train Stations Safer

Victor P Taffa

A new recruitment campaign has officially begun to attract 940 Victoria Police Protective Services Officers (PSOs) as part of the Victorian Coalition Government’s commitment to make the rail network safer.

Deputy Premier and Police and Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan today joined Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner Ken Lay at Southern Cross Station to launch the PSO recruitment drive.

“PSOs already play a key role within Victoria Police and now that new PSO laws have passed through Parliament, 940 PSOs will be recruited to boost safety at train stations.” Mr. Ryan said.

“For a long time PSOs have worked hard to keep Parliament and our courts secure and this campaign will see two PSOs deployed at every metropolitan train station and at major regional centres from 6pm until the last train at night.”

“Victoria Police is looking for applicants who want to protect and serve the 400,000 people who travel on our railways each day.”

Mr. Ryan said the new PSOs would have the power to apprehend, detain, arrest and remove any offenders or threatening individuals while they were on duty at train stations.

“Victoria Police will extend the new PSO training program from nine weeks to 12 weeks to ensure PSOs can successfully tackle crime, violence and antisocial behaviour on the rail network.”

“PSO recruits will receive the same Operational Tactics and Safety Training as police, including the same defensive skills and firearms training.”

Mr. Ryan said the Victoria Police advertising campaign aimed to attract the very best applicants from all backgrounds who wanted to make a difference on the rail network.

Victoria Police will host information sessions around the state as part of their PSO recruitment drive. The recruitment campaign includes billboards at railway stations as well as a print, radio, and online advertising.

For further information visit www.policecareer.vic.gov.au