2011/07: Should there be armed protective services officers on Melbourne train stations after dark?
What they said...
'My concern is that ... you might get a situation where these officers panic and someone gets shot'
Liberty Victoria president, Spencer Zifcak
'We recognised this pattern of train violence in opposition and pledged to do all we could to improve safety and security for travellers'
Victorian premier, Ted Baillieu
The issue at a glance
The Victorian government has pledged that as of July 1, 2011, there will be armed Protective Services Officers (PSOs) at all Melbourne metropolitan railway stations to guarantee commuters' safety after dark.
As the policy has got nearer to implementation there has been a variety of objections raised from the Opposition, civil libertarians, the Victoria Police Association and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union.
The cost of implementing the proposal has increased as training is to be extended and additional facilities installed on stations to help the PSOs perform their job.
Despite this, the Government maintains its policy will be put in place as scheduled, though the roll-out period has now been identified as four years.
The plan continues to have its detractors.
Background
(The following information was taken from Victoria Police's Internet site. It can be accessed at http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=123)
The Protective Services Division (PSD) is Victoria Police's specialist provider of security services. The Division is located within the State Emergencies and Security Department of Victoria Police.
The PSD was established following a 1986 security review and formally commenced operations on 1 May, 1988. A member of the Protective Services Division is known as a Protective Services Officer (PSO).
Protective Services Officers are not empowered with the same powers of arrest as police. PSOs have specific powers and authorities under various Acts of Parliament that cover most of the areas where they are deployed.
In addition to the Legislated and Common Law 'citizens arrest' authorities, PSOs are authorised to issue penalty notices for parking offences if they take place in an area of their responsibility.
Although PSOs are not 'sworn' members of Victoria Police, they are bound by the Victoria Police's Code of Ethics and Code of Conduct and subject to the same disciplinary system as sworn members of the Police.
PSOs are currently deployed in the following areas:
Melbourne's Supreme Court, County Court, Magistrates' Court and Children's Court
Suburban Magistrates Courts at Dandenong, Frankston, Ringwood, Heidelberg, Broadmeadows and Sunshine
Victoria Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
24-hour deployments
Department of Premier and Cabinet
Southern Cross building (Department of Justice)
Parliament House Victoria
The Shrine of Remembrance
Victoria Police Centre
Victoria Police St Kilda Road Complex.
Recruits undergo eight weeks of training at the Victoria Police Academy, Glen Waverley, before being sworn-in as PSOs.
It is not compulsory to live-in at the Academy during training; however recruits residing within the Academy during their training period will be required to pay an establishment fee including meals and accommodation.
Recruits who live-in during training and have a dependant spouse may be eligible for an allowance. Under these circumstances the spouse must not be earning more than a certain amount per week. This is detailed and assessed once you are accepted for recruit training.
Academy training hours are usually day shift Monday to Friday, but may vary to include evening and weekend work.
The syllabus covers elements of the Victoria Police constable's course, as well as PSO specific subjects such as Court Security, and Standing Operating Procedures for specific work locations. Over the term of the training course, recruits must qualify in defensive tactics and firearms instruction to police recruit standards.
Upon graduation from the Victoria Police Academy, PSOs undertake 12 months probation. Following the initial training at the Victoria Police Academy, over the next fifty-two weeks, appointees are required to fulfil a number of workplace competencies as part of their 12 month probation.
PSOs have several further training and development opportunities available to them. They can undertake further courses, including personal development and computer related subjects.
Internet information
Victoria Police has a section on its Internet site that details the duties and the training required of Protective Services Officers (PSOs). The full text of this document can be found at http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=123
In July 2009, the Office of Police Integrity released a review titled, 'Review of the Use of Force by and against Victoria Police'. The review recommended a series of reforms that it claimed needed to be made to reduce the hazards associated with Victoria Police's use of firearms.
The full text of this review can be found at http://www.opi.vic.gov.au/index.php?i=118&m=8&t=1
The Liberal Party's video site, Liberal TV, carries a speech of the premier's, Ted Baillieu, explaining why his government proposes to place two armed guards on all Melbourne metropolitan railway stations after dark. This video can be accessed at http://www.vic.liberal.org.au/LiberalTV/LiberalTVPlayer/TabId/60/VideoId/66/2640-New-Police-And-Protective-Service-Officers.aspx
On November 8, 2010, the Victorian Liberal Nationals Coalition issued a media release titled, 'Baillieu to stop crime in its tracks with new transport security force'
The press release details the plans the Coalition had in Opposition to improve rail safety and formed part of its 2009 election campaign.
The full text of this media release can be found at http://vic.liberal.org.au/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=QnMN0LmJLMg=&tabid=189
On March 26, 2011, The Courier Mail published a news report titled, 'Train guards need toilet escort' detailing the concerns of the new Victorian leader of the Opposition Daniel Andrews regarding the lack of toilet facilities on many metropolitan platforms.
The full text of the report can be found at http://www.couriermail.com.au/ipad/train-guards-need-toilet-escort/story-fn6ck4a4-1226028201401
On March 28, 2011, Daniel Andrews, the leader of the Victorian Opposition, issued a news report detailing his objections to the Government's announcement that it would scrap plans to upgrade the Frankston line. Andrews criticises the Government's intention to go ahead with the placement of armed guards along a line that it no longer intends to upgrade.
The full text of this comment can be found at http://www.vic.alp.org.au/news-events-media/news/baillieu-turns-his-back-on-highett-and-parkdale-co/
On April 11, 2011, ABC Radio National's The World Today reported that the operator of Melbourne's train network, Metro, had just announced it will carry out a risk assessment of the Victorian government's plan to put armed guards on train platforms.
A full transcript together with a recording of the report can be accessed at http://www.abc.net.au/worldtoday/content/2011/s3187921.htm
On April 11, 2011, the ABC posted a news report by Simon Lauder, titled, 'Armed train-platform guards "a recipe for disaster"'. Despite its title, the report considers both concerns about the guards and the favourable reception the proposal has met with from some train travellers.
The full text of this report can be found at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2011/04/11/3188123.htm?site=southwestvic
On April 18, 2011, the Victorian Government issued a media release titled, 'PSOs - Myths and Facts.' The release looks at a variety of criticisms that have been raised against the proposed use of armed PSOs on Victorian railway stations and supplies an answer to each.
The full text of this release can be accessed on the Internet site of State member for Carrum, Donna Brauer at http://www.donnabauer.com.au/mediareleases/doc_download/37-psos-myths-and-facts.html
Rail Page, a rail users news site and forum for Australian and New Zealand rail travellers, has posted a report originally published in The Age titled, 'Rail staff up in arms over plan for station guards' detailing the opposition of the Rail, Tram and Bus Union to the use of armed guards on Victorian train stations. The full text of the article can be found at http://www.railpage.com.au/news-8589.htm
Arguments against placing armed protective services officers on Melbourne train stations after dark
1. Train assault statistics do not warrant the placing of two protective services officers on Melbourne train stations
It has been claimed that a close study of the incidence of crime on Victorian metropolitan train stations does not warrant placing two armed officers on every station at night.
The Public Transport Users Association (PTUA) has analysed the 2009 crime statistic. This analysis has shown that 45% of assaults on railway stations occur at just ten locations.
The president of the PTUA, Mr Daniel Bowen, has stated, 'While people are most concerned about safety on the train system at night, the reality is that about half the assaults happened in broad daylight.'
This finding has led some critics to question the utility of restricting the protective services officers to patrolling stations after dark. Further criticism has been directed at the decision to man all stations equally, when the crime statistics indicate that there are stations that do not seem to need that attention.
Mr Bowen has noted, 'Just ten stations accounted for 45% of the incidents reported. Altogether 85 stations had recorded incidents of assault, but 116 had none.'
In an opinion piece published in The Age on April 9, 2011, John Silvester ridiculed what he appears to believe is a massive misuse of resources.
Silvester wrote, 'Let's do the maths. There are roughly 200 railway stations in Melbourne. The 2009 crime figures published by The Sunday Age showed 45 per cent of assaults occurred at just 10 stations: Flinders Street, Dandenong, Broadmeadows, Footscray, St Albans, Ringwood, Bayswater, Frankston, Southern Cross and Thomastown.
In broad terms, fewer than 400 assaults are recorded across the network and only half take place at night. So we will employ nearly 1000 armed guards to try to stop 200 reported assaults. And in 116 stations there were no assaults at all. Zippo.'
2. These officers will be inexperienced and may not be adequately trained
It has been noted that as this is a new scheme, all the 940 protective services officers to be employed over the next four years will be new to the job. They will therefore have little or no experience in the handling of firearms when dealing with the public. Unlike the police force, they have the advice and example of more experienced officers. Critics of the proposal claim that under these circumstances there are likely to be accidents and inappropriate responses which could result in either injuries or fatalities.
The length and quality of training these officers will receive has also been questioned. Protective services officers' training will run for only eight weeks compared with 33 weeks for police officers. Civil libertarians and others have argued that this is insufficient given the hazards inherent in what they will be required to do.
Emily Howie, from the Human Rights Law Resource Centre, has stated, 'The concern over protective services officers is that they are not as well trained as police. Firearms training is not the be-all and end-all. What is even more important is that they are trained in non-lethal ways to resolve conflict.'
Victorian Shadow Minister for Police, James Merlino, has argued, 'The Government wants to create a second tier police force, effectively police officers on our stations but they're simply not providing the training that's required. It's just inadequate for the role they're supposed to do.'
Liberty Victoria president, Spencer Zifcak, has similarly stated, 'My concern is that ... you might get a situation where these officers panic and someone gets shot. Public safety has to be the priority and properly trained police officers are the best option.'
3. It will be difficult to recruit protective services officers
It has been claimed that it will be difficult to find an adequate number of suitable people to take on the 940 positions the Baillieu government has pledged will be filled. This is in part because the new State government has also promised to increase substantially the number of officers in Victoria Police.
In a Herald Sun editorial published on March 25, 2011, it was noted, 'Recruiting and training almost 1000 protective services officers to guard railway stations will be difficult...
As well as the protective services officers expected to guard stations, Mr Baillieu promised that 1700 extra police would be put on trains before the next election.
The police academy is unlikely to meet those numbers ....'
It has been suggested that only lower calibre candidates are likely to be prepared to take on a job with no promotion prospects and relatively poor conditions.
This point was made by Steve Price in an opinion piece published in The Herald Sun on March 31, 2011. Price argued, 'Police on the cheap, if you like -- people who can't meet the tougher criteria for Victoria Police, prepared to work for lower salaries and on shifts that will encourage people needing second jobs.'
In an opinion piece published in The Age on April 9, 2011, John Sylvester made a similar point. 'In the next four years police will have to find thousands of recruits both to cover the government promise of 1700 more police and to fill holes left by retirements and resignations. So why would you want to be a PSO when you could be a new constable on $52,000 with a real career path?
And if you can't qualify to join the police, should you be allowed to strap on a semi-automatic and head out on railway patrol?'
John Silvester has also suggested that recruitment problems will be on-going as the turnover rate among protective services officers is likely to be high. He writes, 'Police confidently predict the turnover will be dramatic as PSOs become disillusioned with dangerous and boring shift work. Therefore it is not just a commitment of 940 but an annual drain as hundreds more will have to be recruited to replace those who run screaming into the night.'
4. There are already community concerns about police use of firearms
It has been noted that there are already community concerns that Victoria Police force use their weapons too readily with the result that there has been needless loss of civilian life. The same concerns have been voiced, though with greater urgency, about the proposed introduction of armed protective services officers on Victorian railway stations.
In an Age editorial published on April 9, 2011, it was stated, '
The officers are to be issued with Smith & Wesson semi-automatic pistols, and will receive only eight weeks' training in how to use them. There are already concerns about how the police, who are better trained, use firearms, sometimes leading to avoidable loss of life. The risk that station guards might use their guns unnecessarily must be at least as great.'
In June 2009 the Office of Police Integrity released a Review of the Use of Force by and against Victoria Police.
Among the review's key findings were that police need to learn how to communicate and negotiate with people affected by mental illness or under the influence of drugs or alcohol; that officers need to have alternative methods to the current confrontational approach that relies heavily on capsicum spray and firearms and that Victoria Police management needs to establish a culture of safety first, risk assessment and risk management that will avoid or minimise the use of force.
Critics are concerned that if there are issues with how Victoria Police use their weapons these are likely to be even worse among protective services officers who have less training and who will be less experienced.
5. The Victoria Police Association, some Metro authorities and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union are opposed to armed protective services officers on trains
The Victoria Police Association has reservations about the new armed protective services officers. These officers have over-lapping functions with Victoria Police yet have neither the same training nor the same powers. Currently, for example, they have no arrest powers. Even were their powers to be extended, this would not remove concerns regarding their capacity to exercise them.
The Police Association secretary, Greg Davies, has claimed that the Baillieu government's protective services offers policy was a 'logistical nightmare for the force and should be reviewed'.
Greg Davies has also suggested that the employment of PSOs does not represent good value for taxpayers' money. Mr Davies has urged the Baillieu government to 'modify' its election promise. He prefers a model that targets Melbourne's most violent stations with more transit police and far fewer protective services officers. Senior Sergeant Davies said a first-year police officer receives about $4000 more than a PSO but represents far better value as a crime deterrent.
The chief executive of Metro Trains, Andrew Laesa, criticised the PSO proposal when it was announced in August 2010. Mr Laesa called for unarmed authorised officers, who would perform tasks, including checking tickets, across the system.
Mr Laesa expressed concern at the risk to public safety that armed PSOs on platforms might represent.
On April 11, 2011, Metro announced it had ordered a risk assessment of the use of armed protective services officers at railway stations.
Rail, Tram and Bus Union state secretary Trevor Dobbyn said Metro had agreed to the union's request for an assessment and said the operator would look to 'identify and mitigate' the risks involved.
Mr Dobbyn said, 'Putting two armed PSOs on to every station raises a whole lot of safety questions and we're concerned how it will operate. If those firearms are used, of course, that's a worry to our members. We've never had this on the system before.'
6. The protective services officers have limited powers and are not adequately resourced
It has been observed that the protective services officers will have limited powers and are not adequately resourced.
In a Herald Sun editorial published on March 25, 2011, it was noted, 'The guards' jurisdiction covers only the railway station and adjoining car park. Once an offender steps beyond this boundary the protective officer is powerless. Baiting these officers after stepping outside the car park perimeter is likely to become the next dangerous game to be played by troublemakers.'
In addition to these officers limited authority, it has been claimed that they will not have adequate facilities to allow them to perform their function. Some will be operating out of stations with no toilets, no running water and no shelter.
These points were made by Ashley Gardiner in a news item published in The Herald Sun on March 26, 2011. Gardiner stated, 'New details of the PSO policy reveal that guards' authority will be restricted to within the station precinct, including platforms and car parks. PSOs might need to hitch a ride with passing police for a toilet break. They have only common law powers to make citizens' arrests. No funding will go to new facilities, such as shelters.'
It is also unclear how these PSOs will access their weapons. Members of Victoria Police collect their weapons from the police station out of which they work, where the weapons are kept under secure conditions. This cannot be the case for PSOs as it is unlikely that their weapons could be stored safely at metropolitan train stations.
In an opinion piece published in The Herald Sun on March 31, 2011, Steve Price argued, 'The Government still hasn't worked out how to get these people to their assigned train station because, like sworn police, they can't travel to work with their gun...
Solutions being examined include fleets of mini-buses taking these people to and from work twice a day, seven days a week -- because it would be too dangerous for them to travel on the very trains they are protecting.'
Arguments in favour of placing armed protective services officers on Melbourne train stations after dark
1. This was a pre-election undertaking from the Baillieu government
The Victorian government claims to have a mandate to place armed protective services officers on Victorian trains. It made a pre-election promise to provide an armed protective services officer at each of the 212 metropolitan train stations.
This promise appears to have been taken up with enthusiasm by much of the electorate. A survey of 6500 commuters taken before last November's election showed 89 per cent of respondents felt unsafe on public transport at night.
After his party's election victory, the newly elected premier, Mr Ted Baillieu, stated, 'It's a commitment we made before the election, and it's a commitment that is much appreciated by the electorate and we're going to introduce PSOs in stations.'
In the face of opposition to the protective services officers, Mr Baillieu has reasserted his government's commitment to the policy. On April 14, 2011, Mr Baillieu reiterated, 'The Government went to the recent state election committed to putting Victoria Police protective services officers on train stations.
A number of unions and interest groups now want the Government to water down or abandon its commitment. Our Government stands firm in its commitment to deliver on that policy.'
2. The protective services officers will receive additional training and have increased powers
The Victoria premier, Ted Baillieu, has indicated that protective services officers guarding railway stations will receive the same firearms training as is given Victoria Police officers.
In an article published in the Herald Sun on April 14, 2011, Mr Baillieu stated, 'There are 150 PSOs working in Victoria and all of them, as well as the new PSOs who will be assigned to protect train stations, have the same firearms training as Victorian Police.'
Mr Baillieu indicated that PSOs train at the same academy as police in Glen Waverley and receive the same firearms training and defensive skills training as police recruits. PSOs are also required to requalify every six months, in the same manner as police.'
This is a modification to the proposal that was originally announced. Police Minister, Mr Peter Ryan, confirmed the training period was to be lengthened, and indicated this would increase the $160 million cost of the program. Mr Ryan stated that this additional training would not delay the officers' introduction.
In a recent media release issued by the Victoria government it is further stated, 'In their training, Victoria Police Protective Services Officers cover firearms handling, defensive skills, critical incident management, non-violent conflict resolution and dealing with mentally ill and drug or alcohol-affected people.'
Over the term of their current training course, PSO recruits must qualify in the following academic components: law and PSO procedures; communication skills; information technology and scenario training. The must also qualify in the following physical components: defensive tactics; firearms training and operational based scenarios.
As part of their current employment provisions, upon graduation from the Victoria Police Academy, PSOs undertake 12 months probation. Following their initial training, over the next fifty-two weeks, appointees are required to fulfil a number of workplace competencies. In addition, PSO can undertake further courses delivered internally and externally.
It has also been announced that the PSOs will have their powers extended beyond that of citizens' arrest.
The Victorian Police Minister, Mr Peter Ryan, has stated that although details were still being worked out with police command, the guards would be 'appropriately empowered' to make arrests and handle 'the sort of antisocial behaviour that people should not have to cop when they're using the train system'.
Mr Ryan stated, 'The powers will change to a sufficient degree to enable the PSOs to deal with the problems we have historically encountered on the platforms. To the extent that requires people to be arrested - yes they will have the powers of arrest.'
The officers may also be given the power to seize weapons and search offenders - including minors.
3. The protective services officers will receive adequate resources to perform their duties
The Victorian government has announced that it will take all measures necessary to ensure that every Victorian metropolitan station is properly equipped to allow the PSOs to complete their duties. This is in response to concerns expressed over the fact that about half of the metropolitan stations to be manned by PSO are without toilet facilities and a lesser number would offer the PSOs nowhere to shelter from the weather.
In a recent Victorian government media release it was stated, 'The Coalition Government has already announced that $20 million will be invested in upgrades to train station infrastructure, including the provision of clean and safe toilet facilities. There will be no need [for PSOs ] to hail a police car to get a toilet break.'
The Victorian Opposition has recently suggested that PSOs needing a toilet break would have to be transported by Victoria Police officers as PSOs are not able to travel in public while armed.
Mr Baillieu has responded to such speculation by indicating that toilets and other capital works such as shelters at railway stations were costed and upgrades would be provided where needed.
Mr Baillieu has stated, 'We understand those basic needs. What we have seen from the Labor Party is an attempt to denigrate PSOs.'
4. There is widespread community concern about the safety of Victoria's trains after dark
It has been claimed that large numbers of commuters feel unsafe on Victoria's trains, especially after dark. This concern has been acknowledged by the head of Metro.
The chief executive of Metro Trains, Mr Andrew Lezala, has stated, 'I ride the railways a lot and I sometimes feel intimidated. I'm not a particularly shy guy. So I know we have an intimidation issue...
We have a number of issues with youth gangs, with people who are intoxicated and some people who have got some mental issues. I've seen it first-hand.'
Armed protective officers are part of the Victorian government's plan to address safety issues on the State's trains. Victoria's premier, Mr Ted Baillieu has stated, 'The commitment is for every station and we think that's important to create a culture of safety around stations and it helps you develop those stations in the future, with increased patronage and increased investment around it.'
A survey of 6500 commuters taken before last November's election showed 89 per cent of respondents felt unsafe on public transport at night.
On April 14, 2011, Mr Baillieu stated, 'The vast majority of Victorians have told me they strongly support our plan because they are scared to use public transport at night, and train stations in particular have become places of fear instead of places of safety...
We recognised this pattern of train violence in opposition and pledged to do all we could to improve safety and security for travellers.'
5. Assaults at train stations are increasing
It has been claimed that train stations are becoming less safe places to be. The number of assaults at train stations is increasing. Police assault figures show that assaults at train stations grew by almost 11 per cent in 2009-10 from the previous year. This seems to be part of a general trend as bus-stop assaults grew by 31 per cent in the same period.
On April 13, 2011, the premier, Mr Ted Baillieu commented on the train violence figures that contributed to his party's decision to introduce protective services officers on railway stations if it were elected to government. Mr Baillieu explained, 'Women and elderly Victorians especially want urgent action to improve safety and security on the public transport network.
This fear is not a mere perception, given that there were more than 400 assaults on the metropolitan rail network from March 2010 to February 2011, with many occurring at or in the vicinity of train stations.'
As part of his party's pre-election pledge Mr Baillieu declared, 'We'll turn stations from places of fear into places of safety.
We want anyone - a young girl, an elderly woman - travelling home on the train at night to do so with confidence and not with fear.'
The Victorian government recently issued a media release which stated, 'There were more than 400 assaults at train stations in the Melbourne metropolitan network in the 12 months to February 2011. Metro Trains recorded an average of 34 station assaults per month - meaning at least one person a day is assaulted on Victoria's train network.'
6. Protective services officers have been used successfully in other capacities
The premier, Ted Baillieu, has stressed protective services officers (PSOs) are not a cheap short-term solution to the problem of train station security.
Mr Baillieu notes that PSOs have been successfully used in Victoria in a variety of situations for many years.
The Protective Services Division (PSD) is Victoria Police's specialist provider of security services. The PSD was established following a 1986 security review and formally commenced operations on 1 May, 1988.
On April 14, 2011, Mr Baillieu stated, 'Our Government is proud of our PSOs and the great work they do protecting Government offices, our courts, Victoria Police's St Kilda Rd complex and the Parliament. If PSOs are good enough to protect our Parliament, courts and our members of Parliament, they are good enough to protect all Victorians.'
The Premier went on to note, 'They [PSOs] often deal with protests outside of Parliament. Their work in the court system means they are constantly dealing with and assisting people with drug or alcohol problems, mental illness, and people who are angry or violent.'
In a recent media release the Victorian government noted, 'Victoria Police Protective Services Officers are under the command, direction and control of the Chief Commissioner of Police. Victoria Police Protective Services Officers are subject to the same codes of ethics and conduct and the same disciplinary system as members of the police force. Victoria Police Protective Services Officers have been operating in Victoria for more than 20 years, protecting State Parliament, the courts, MPs and judges.'
Further implications
The state government has indicated it will take four years to recruit and train the 940 protective service officers required to fulfil its election promise and the powers of these officers are still being determined.
There remain a number of alternative proposals which may be both more viable and easier to implement. The Victorian Police Association has proposed a model that would see transit police at the most violent stations and fewer protective service officers overall. Under this model, the least hazardous stations would have neither transit police nor protective services officers. This would be a cost saving which could offset the increased expense of employing transit police.
A complementary proposal has been put by the Public Transport Users Association and the Rail, Tram and Bus Union. They are suggesting that there be uniformed police at the more violent locations, and that customer service staff be reintroduced at all stations. Metro has also supported the idea of additional customer service staff at stations.
These proposals are a more flexible response, directing different levels of support to different stations, dependent on need. They also get over the problem of arming PSOs who, despite all the assurances, may not be able to deal with the level of responsibility involved in handling volatile situations while armed.
Whether the government decides to modify its plan remains to be seen. The Police Minister has pledged that armed Protective Services Officers will be used on train stations despite the objections of the rail union. The issue seems to have become thoroughly politicised with the Opposition heaping scorn on one side and the Government digging in on the other.
However, four years is a long time. It is profoundly to be hoped that any change of policy from the Government is not the result of someone being shot by a PSO.
Newspaper items used in the compilation of this issue outline
Herald-Sun: March 2011, 2011, page 37, comment by Steve Price, `Baillieu's guard plan is flawed'.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/baillieus-rail-guard-plan-is-flawed/story-e6frfhqf-1226031023432
Herald-Sun: March 26, 2001, page 22, news item by Ashley Gardiner, `Rail plan a shambles'.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/rail-plan-a-blasted-as-a-shambles/story-fn6bfm6w-1226028284631
Herald-Sun: March 25, 2011, page 36, editorial, `Armed and dangerous'.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/editorials/transport-officers-armed-and-dangerous/story-e6frfhqo-1226027697828
Herald-Sun: March 25, 2011, page 2, news item (photo - ref to armed security guards) by Ashley Gardiner, `Overhaul call on guards with guns'.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/ipad/overhaul-call-on-guards-with-guns-at-melbourne-train-stations/story-fn6bfmgc-1226027708358
Herald-Sun: April 14, 2011, page 26, comment by Ted Baillieu, `Forget myths, our PSOs will help reclaim the safety of stations'.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/forget-myths-our-psos-will-help-reclaim-the-safety-of-stations/story-e6frfhqf-1226038757493
Herald-Sun: April 11, 2011, page 6, news item by Ashley Gardiner, `Fears mount on guard plan'.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/more-news/fears-mount-on-guard-plan/story-fn7x8me2-1226036860801
The Age: April 11, 2011, page 1, news item by Ben Schneiders et al, `Metro orders rail cop review'.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/metro-orders-rail-cop-review-20110410-1d9f9.html
The Age: April 10, page 16, editorial, `Clever politics is not always good policy'.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/editorial/clever-politics-is-not-always-good-policy-20110409-1d8li.html
The Age: April 10, page 4, background / analysis (photo) by Cameron Houston, `Are rail guards getting above their station?'.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/are-rail-guards-getting-above-their-station-20110409-1d8ny.html
The Age: April 10, page 1, news item by Farrah Tomazin, `Arrest powers for guards'.
http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/arrest-powers-for-guards-20110409-1d8po.html
The Age: April 9, 2011, page 22, editorial, `Armed guards won't make stations safer'.
http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/editorial/armed-guards-wont-make-stations-safer-20110408-1d82a.html