Recruiting PSOs to make rail network safer
Recruitment is underway to attract 940 Victoria Police Protective Services Officers (PSOs) to make the rail network safer.
Deputy Premier and Police and Emergency Services Minister Peter Ryan joined Victoria Police Acting Chief Commissioner Ken Lay at Southern Cross Station to launch the PSO recruitment drive.
"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.
"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."
The new PSOs will have the power to apprehend, detain, arrest and remove any offenders or threatening individuals while they are 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,” Mr Ryan said.
"PSO recruits will receive the same Operational Tactics and Safety Training as police, including the same defensive skills and firearms training."
Victoria Police will host recruitment information sessions around Victoria.
For further information visit http://www.policecareer.vic.gov.au