The NSW Police Force will take over security for the entire public transport network under a new dedicated Police Transport Command.

 

The new command will see 610 dedicated police officers allocated to patrol trains, buses and ferries. Transit officers will focus on detecting fare evasion and minor compliance offences and their patrols will be expanded to cover buses and ferries.

 

 Minister for Police Michael Gallacher said improved public transport safety and security requires a fundamentally different approach.

 

“A well-led dedicated police command with the full complement of police powers will increase our ability to combat crime on the public transport network,” he said.

 

 “Police are trained to patrol in pairs, rather than transit officers who are routinely deployed in groups of three to five for safety reasons. Providing a strong police presence is the best way to prevent crime.”

 

Existing transit officers and STA revenue protection officers can either apply to be trained as a police officer, apply to be retained as a transit officer, apply for voluntary redundancy or apply for redeployment.

 

Commissioner Scipione said recruitment for the new police command would be completed by the end of 2014 when the PTC's ranks will have grown to more than 600 officers, while 300 existing police officers currently attached to the Commuter Crime Unit will be available immediately.

 

He said an advantage of the new command would be that police officers will come into contact with people who may have committed other more serious crimes.

 

“It will enable the police to take into custody a lot of people wanted on other offences,” he said.