PSOs for Surrey Hills Station

Surrey Hills train commuters can feel safer travelling at night following the deployment of Protective Services Officers (PSOs) at Surrey Hills station, Member for Box Hill Robert Clark said today.

Announcing the commencement of PSOs at Surrey Hills station from today, Mr Clark said the Victorian Coalition Government was committed to making the rail network safer.

“The Coalition Government is working to ensure our rail network is as safe as possible, and with 682 PSOs patrolling 104 rail stations and surrounding areas, we are tackling crime and other offences head on,” Mr Clark said.

“Commuters who use Surrey Hills station can now travel knowing they are protected by PSOs.”

The PSOs will patrol the station from 6pm until after the last train every night.

Mr Clark said the Coalition Government is on track to recruiting and deploying 940 PSOs to suburban rail stations and major regional centres including Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Traralgon by November 2014 as part of a $212 million investment.

“The Coalition Government is also fulfilling its commitment to deliver 1700 additional frontline police by November 2014 at a cost of $602 million,” Mr Clark said.

“This is the single largest law and order recruitment program in Victoria’s history, and there are currently more than 1300 additional police protecting the community than when the government took office in November 2010.”

Since their initial deployment in February 2012, PSOs have issued more than 20,000 infringements at stations across the rail network.

PSOs complete a 12‐week course that includes the same operational tactics and safety training that Victoria Police officers receive.