It's time for - The Police Association Victoria

PSOs
OPPOSITE PAGE: Snr PSO Andrew Callow.
ABOVE: Left to right: PSO 1st class Danny Tabone PSO Supervisor Cindy Berandi Snr PSO Martin Stevens.
firearms from the holster, let alone fire
a shot in anger.
"The government want the credibility
that comes with the PSO name and the
reputation. You can’t blame them for
wanting that," says Greg Davies.
The difference in the training between
police and PSOs is basically the law
component - what PSOs need to know
ABOVE: PSO Supervisor Lee Andrews.
from an operational and legal perspective.
They are empowered within the Police
Regulation Act and have the common law
powers of constable, and they have the
arrest powers of Section 458 of the Crimes
Act. They do not have the indictable powers
of arrest under Section 459. They pick up
the rest of their powers depending on
where they are stationed. The PSOs have
powers under the Court Security Act, the
Parliamentary Precincts Act and the Shrine
of Remembrance Act. These authorities
give them the power to demand name
and address, ban people from an area and,
ultimately, arrest.
They still use LEAP and do have to prepare
reports, but not to the level of sworn police.
Many members of the public wouldn’t
realise that the ceremonial Shrine Guard are
PSOs. Those stationed at the Shrine undergo
some additional training so they can
undertake the important ceremonial duties
attached to the position. These members
have three uniforms. The ceremonial World
War One Lighthorse uniform, the Army dress
of the day and the PSO blues.
The Shrine Guard is utilised at all police
major events, police funerals and National
Police Remembrance Day. "They are a great
PR face for the Shrine," says Geoff Darlison.
During their career the PSOs are governed
by the same promotional and discipline
processes as sworn members. Following
a lengthy battle by The Police Association,
the PSOs are now entitled to be members
of ESSSuper and access the defined
superannuation benefit.
A squad of PSO recruits will begin at the
Academy at the end of this month. At the time
of writing it wasn’t known when the recruiting
campaign for the 940 additional PSOs would
begin. The terms of their employment and
training are yet to be established.
The negative media commentary in recent
weeks has led to some PSOs doubting their
self-worth. They hope the government
will tread carefully when deciding how to
introduce their planned 940 PSOs.
"The prospective PSO recruits must be
of sufficient standard and authority to
maintain the reputation of PSOs across the
state," says Greg Davies.
"It is despicable that various interest groups
have been trying to use our PSOs as political
footballs. It is not right. It is simply unfair."
Geoff Darlison agrees. "They do a fantastic
job. They have been historically undervalued
by the organisation. There is potential for
them to continue to do good things in the
years ahead."
The Police Association Victoria Journal May 2011
13