Victoria Premier Ted Baillieu

PSOs Deploy To Ferntree Gully And Watergardens Stations

Victor P Taffa

Premier Ted Baillieu has announced the deployment of Protective Service Officers (PSOs) to Ferntree Gully and Watergardens train stations from 6pm on Tuesday night.

Mr. Baillieu said with the addition of PSOs at Ferntree Gully and Watergardens there would be a total of 32 stations where PSOs are in operation every night from 6pm until the last train.

“There are now 259 PSOs working at these stations and we are on track to have 940 PSOs deployed across the network by November next year.” Mr. Baillieu said.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is delivering on its election commitment to tackle crime, violence and anti-social behaviour on and around train stations.”

“There is an overwhelmingly positive response from the communities that have already befitted from having PSOs at their stations.”

“Commuters and small businesses have said very clearly that there has been a reduction in crime, a reduction in violence, and a reduction in anti-social behaviour where the PSOs are deployed at their local train station.” Mr. Baillieu said.

Mr. Baillieu announced the deployment of PSOs as Victoria Police launched a new PSO recruitment campaign ‘Are you ready to stand out?’

“The opportunity to serve as a PSO on train stations is a new career opportunity for Victorians and it is part of new era in Victoria where train stations are places of safety rather than places of fear.” Mr. Baillieu said.

“The recruitment campaign that Victoria Police has launched is all about informing Victorians about the career opportunity to become a PSO and the contribution that PSOs can provide to make our communities safer.”

“Many more squads of PSOs will continue to come through the Academy for 12 weeks of intensive training, including the same operational tactics and safety training that Police officers undertake.” Mr. Baillieu said.

From 6pm Tuesday 22 January, PSOs will be deployed at 32 train stations across the rail network – Flinders Street, Southern Cross, Melbourne Central, Footscray, Dandenong, Parliament, Richmond, North Melbourne, Box Hill, Epping, Noble Park, Frankston, Broadmeadows, Lilydale, Ringwood, Werribee, Laverton, Yarraville, Hoppers Crossing, Reservoir, Croydon, Newport, Westall, Boronia, Carrum, Cranbourne, Berwick, St Albans, Coburg, Sunshine, Watergardens and Ferntree Gully.