Under its original strategy to enforce public health laws which
were created at the height of the COVID-19 Pandemic, the Victorian
Government expanded the powers of 'protective services
officers' (PSOs) on an emergency basis. Now, they want those
powers not just to remain, but to be further expanded.
PSOs have been deployed in Victoria since 2012. They are trained
officers recruited to patrol train stations after dark. They have
similar powers to police and carry guns, but could, prior to
COVID-19, only use their powers on duty, and in designated
areas.
Permanent PSO presence
But during the pandemic, the Victorian Government extended their
areas of responsibility and PSOs were dispatched to major shopping
strips and commercial centres too, under state-of-emergency laws.
Originally, it was expected that this move was a temporary one, but
now, Victoria Police and the State Government want the arrangement
to be permanent.
