Thursday, 15 August 2019

In reply to  Mr ONDARCHIE (Northern Metropolitan) (28 May 2019)

Ms NEVILLE (Bellarine—Minister for Water, Minister for Police and Emergency Services):

Victoria Police have trained and deployed 50 additional Protective Services Officers (PSOs) that will form part of a 100-strong personnel of mobile PSOs patrolling the public transport network. The remaining 50 mobile PSOs will be gradually deployed onto the network over the next two financial years.

Mobile PSOs are flexible and deployed on a needs-basis. For example, they were deployed onto trams earlier this year for the Australian Open and the Grand Prix. Their deployment on tram routes is an intelligence-led decision, considering various factors such as the volume of calls for assistance and reported number of crimes. The deployment for patrols on tram route 86 will also be based on this operational information.

Mobile PSOs enhance commuter safety and complement other public safety measures. Many trams have been equipped with CCTV capability, and tram stops across Melbourne are being progressively upgraded with improved lighting to enhance commuter safety. This also includes the upgrades earlier this year to the RMIT Bundoora tram stop on route 86—with CCTV, better accessibility and improved lighting.