Roles and duties of protective services officers

As a protective services officer (PSO), you will be a valued member of the Victoria Police team.

Upon graduating, you will start your career at the Transit Safety Division.

PSO shift times

The majority of protective services officer shifts support the Victorian State Government commitment of being on platforms from 6pm to the last train as well as the Night Network commitment each Friday and Saturday evenings.

However, it is expected that all protective services officers will be able to perform a mix of various shift start times at various locations as per operational requirements.

All operational PSO shifts on the public transport network are 10 hours in duration.

On-shift duties

Your on-shift duties will include:

• monitoring of peak-hour train services where you will maintain a visible presence and engage with the community
• building and maintaining rapport with commuters and the surrounding community to increase trust in the safety of the station and public transport system
• proactively patrol the train platform, car parks and surrounds
• dealing with anti-social behaviour, property damage, alcohol and transport-related offences as they arise
• compiling paperwork
• covering major events in locations other than train stations across Melbourne.

You will always be on duty with a least one other protective services officer.

You will remain at that location until the last train has come through or if on a Night Network shift (Friday and Saturday night) the pre-determined end of shift time.

There are opportunities for Transit Safety Division PSOs to apply to fill vacancies at the Protective Services Unit (PSU) when available. PSU are specialist providers of security services at courts and government buildings.

Watch: Get to know the PSO role

From patrolling stations and car parks, to assisting passengers in need, Ashok and Kasey give us an insight into a day in the life of a PSO.

Key information