Public Transport Authority Transit Officers
Encyclopedia
A Transit Officeris the primary security and law enforcement
, customer service
and revenue protection officers for the Public Transport Authority
public transport
services in Western Australia
, Australia. Transit Officers conduct uniformed and plain clothes patrols on Transperth
Train, Bus and Ferry services and are employed to ensure the safety and security of passengers, staff and Authority property.[1]
Transit Officers are a part of the Security Services Branch, Transperth Trains Operations (TTO).
. The Act and Regulations establish various offences and the powers of an authorised officer in relation to those offences.
A Transit Officer may also be appointed as a "Special Constable" under the Police Act 1892, which would give the Transit Officer the same legal powers as a constable
of the Western Australia Police
, in respect to Public Transport Authority property.
Some Transit Officers are also appointed as special constables under section 74 of the Government Railways Act 1904.
for offences committed under the Public Transport Authority Act 2003 and it's Regulations. Other contracted staff such as MSS Security (Revenue Protection) and Wilson Security Services (Transperth Bus Operations) wear similar uniforms to that of Public Transport Authority Transit Officers, but these Officers have limited legislative powers and no legislative powers of arrest except those afforded any person under the Criminal Code.
with Public Transport Authority of WA arm patches and various rank insignias on their shoulders. The uniformed rank structure consists of;
Other contracted staff such as MSS Security (Revenue Protection) and Wilson Security Services (Transperth Bus Operations) wear similar uniforms to that of Public Transport Authority Transit Officers, but do not wear the same arm patches.
batons
, First Defense MK-3 X2 OC Spray and handcuffs
.
All Transit Officers are provided with a Refresher Course every 6 months and ongoing up-to-date training to ensure that Transit Officers are equipped with the most advanced skills required in their field.
Law enforcement agency
In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...
, customer service
Customer service
Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase.According to Turban et al. , “Customer service is a series of activities designed to enhance the level of customer satisfaction – that is, the feeling that a product or service has met the customer...
and revenue protection officers for the Public Transport Authority
Public Transport Authority
The Public Transport Authority, or PTA, is a Western Australian statutory authority. It controls Transperth and Transwa. This authority is the most recently constituted body governing public transport in Western Australia...
public transport
Public transport
Public transport is a shared passenger transportation service which is available for use by the general public, as distinct from modes such as taxicab, car pooling or hired buses which are not shared by strangers without private arrangement.Public transport modes include buses, trolleybuses, trams...
services in Western Australia
Western Australia
Western Australia is a state of Australia, occupying the entire western third of the Australian continent. It is bounded by the Indian Ocean to the north and west, the Great Australian Bight and Indian Ocean to the south, the Northern Territory to the north-east and South Australia to the south-east...
, Australia. Transit Officers conduct uniformed and plain clothes patrols on Transperth
Transperth
Transperth is the brand name of the public transport system in Perth, Western Australia. It is operated by the Public Transport Authority.-History:...
Train, Bus and Ferry services and are employed to ensure the safety and security of passengers, staff and Authority property.[1]
Transit Officers are a part of the Security Services Branch, Transperth Trains Operations (TTO).
Legal standing
The Public Transport Authority Act 2003 provides for persons employed as a Public Transport Authority Transit Officer to be appointed as a "Security Officer and Authorised Person" for the purposes of the Public Transport Authority Act 2003 and its subsidiary legislationLegislation
Legislation is law which has been promulgated by a legislature or other governing body, or the process of making it...
. The Act and Regulations establish various offences and the powers of an authorised officer in relation to those offences.
A Transit Officer may also be appointed as a "Special Constable" under the Police Act 1892, which would give the Transit Officer the same legal powers as a constable
Constable
A constable is a person holding a particular office, most commonly in law enforcement. The office of constable can vary significantly in different jurisdictions.-Etymology:...
of the Western Australia Police
Western Australia Police
The Western Australia Police services an area of 2.5 million square kilometres, the world's largest non-federated area of jurisdiction. In 2008, its 7,526 employees included 5,647 police officers.-History:-Early history:...
, in respect to Public Transport Authority property.
Some Transit Officers are also appointed as special constables under section 74 of the Government Railways Act 1904.
Powers under the Public Transport Authority Act and Regulations
By virtue of the Public Transport Authority Act 2003 and the Public Transport Authority Regulations 2003, Transit Officers are empowered to:- Request ticket / smartrider and concession cards for inspection,
- Direct people to leave stations, trains, buses and ferries,
- Demand full name, residential address and date of birth when they suspect, on reasonable grounds that a person has committed an offence against the Public Transport Authority Act and it's Regulations,
- Issue infringement notices ('on-the-spot' fines) for offences against the Public Transport Authority Act and it's Regulations.
- Issue summons for offences under the Act (and its subsidiary legislation).
Power of arrest
All Transit Officers, appointed under Section 56 of the Public Transport Authority Act 2003 are empowered to arrestArrest
An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the purported investigation and prevention of crime and presenting into the criminal justice system or harm to oneself or others...
for offences committed under the Public Transport Authority Act 2003 and it's Regulations. Other contracted staff such as MSS Security (Revenue Protection) and Wilson Security Services (Transperth Bus Operations) wear similar uniforms to that of Public Transport Authority Transit Officers, but these Officers have limited legislative powers and no legislative powers of arrest except those afforded any person under the Criminal Code.
Uniform
Public Transport Authority Transit Officers wear a distinctive light blue and black uniformUniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
with Public Transport Authority of WA arm patches and various rank insignias on their shoulders. The uniformed rank structure consists of;
| Rank | Shoulder Insignia |
|---|---|
| Transit Officer | |
| Senior Transit Officer | |
| Transit Supervisor | |
| Transit Shift Commander | |
| Transit Manager |
Other contracted staff such as MSS Security (Revenue Protection) and Wilson Security Services (Transperth Bus Operations) wear similar uniforms to that of Public Transport Authority Transit Officers, but do not wear the same arm patches.
Equipment
Public Transport Authority Transit Officers are trained and authorised to carry extendable ASPASP, Inc.
Armament Systems and Procedures, Inc. , is an offensive compliance weapons manufacturer providing equipment to law enforcement and private security companies. ASP is perhaps best known for its telescoping batons.-History:...
batons
Baton (law enforcement)
A truncheon or baton is essentially a club of less than arm's length made of wood, plastic, or metal...
, First Defense MK-3 X2 OC Spray and handcuffs
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
.
Training
Public Transport Authority Transit Officers undergo a 12 week in-house training programme that focuses on providing the best security system possible. All Transit Officers go through specialised training which includes;Security Studies and Self Defence Techniques
All training includes both theory and practical units which are:- Use of Force;
- Application of Handcuffs;
- Empty Hand Restraint Techniques;
- Use of Batons; and
- OC (Capsicum Spray) Training which is carried out according to Western Australia Police standards.
All Transit Officers are provided with a Refresher Course every 6 months and ongoing up-to-date training to ensure that Transit Officers are equipped with the most advanced skills required in their field.
Legal Studies
- Managing Unlawful/Disruptive Behaviour;
- Public Transport Authority Act 2003 and Regulations 2003;
- Government Railways Act 1904;
- Criminal Code;
- Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act 2002;
- Protective Custody Act;
- Young Offenders Act 1994;
- Preparing Court Briefs and Prosecution Notices / Summonses;
- Presenting Evidence in Court;
- Lock-up Procedures and Search Techniques, and
- Revenue Protection Procedures.