A DAY THEIN AINDAY LIFE OF OF THE LIFE
PROTECTIVE SERVICES OFFICERS
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Commuters feel safer since the rollout of Protective Services Officers (PSOs) at 215 train stations in Victoria. Police Life went on patrol with PSOs at Ballarat and Werribee train stations to find out how they are making a difference.
Ballarat PSOs Nicholas Derecki and Heather Ritchie stand at the station platform waiting to greet a Melbourne train carrying peak hour commuters. With trains generally arriving on the hour, the PSOs do a lap of the station, holding yards and nearby car parks before making their way back to the platform. “We try to meet every train, unless we are with someone. It’s a good way for us to let people know we are here and to make them feel safe. Everyone gives us a big smile,” PSO Derecki said. While on patrol the PSOs are on the look-out for people drinking alcohol or committing crimes such as criminal damage and theft from and of motor vehicles. They also walk commuters to
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POLICE LIFE | SPRING 2016