10 PoliceMonthly MARCH 2012

POLICE TAKE CHARGE ON NSW

POLICETRANSPORTCOMMAND

The Police Transport Command offers plenty of career pathways,with OSG operatives, plain clothes and bike patrol officers. PTCofficers will also be trained in emergency management andwork closely with Counter Terrorism to provide a policingresponse based on intelligence and identified crime trends.

This is the biggest change thestate has seen in policing our

transport corridors. All commutercrime units will come under the onecommand umbrella for the firsttime. From 1 May, they will betasked with providing an increasedpolice presence on the ferry, busand rail networks.

A/Assistant Commissioner MaxMitchell said this is an excitingopportunity, for a number ofreasons.

“The PTC will create realopportunities to deploy transportpolice in significant numbers to

target specific crime hot spots,” hesaid. “Much like a proactive TAG unit,the PTC will execute well-plannedtargeted operations that will have amuch more significant impact oncrime. Let’s face it, criminalsregularly use our transport system.

“It’s also a terrific careeropportunity for enthusiastic andenergetic police who want to reallymake a difference. If you ask anyofficer why they joined the police,most will tell you ‘to lock upcriminals and help the community’.This new command is about policebeing active and strongly motivated

to set a new benchmark in policinga city’s transport corridors,” he said.

“Winning a position at the PTC isa chance to get in on the groundfloor, and accumulate the specialistknowledge that comes fromworking in a dedicated proactivecommand.

“I’ve spoken with most of the 300existing officers currently attachedto local commuter crime units, andthey’re very enthusiastic about thischange and what it will mean forthem personally.”

A/Assistant CommissionerMitchell said much of thecommand’s success will depend onsupportive leadership, excellentmanagement and a culture ofteamwork that comes from workingwithin the one command.

“We’ve looked at how police inthe US and the UK police their

transport corridors, and we knowthat NSW police can do better. Thiswill be a significant challengethough, because the command’sperformance will be benchmarked.”

As the substantive commander atNewcastle City, the largest LAC inNSW, A/Assistant CommissionerMitchell said he knows how well acommand can operate wheneveryone’s enthusiastic and feelingthey’ve got the support of thecommand team.

“The bottom line will be aboutcreating a leadership team that trulysupports its people – and the key tothat is listening and working withofficers at the frontline.”

The new command is a result ofdiscussions with Transport NSW andRailCorp, State Buses & Ferries, aswell as the Police Association andinternal police commanders.

Traci Palladino, Police Monthly

MARCH 2012 PoliceMonthly 11

TRAINS, BUSES AND FERRIES

Under a three year plan, the new Police Transport Command of 610 officers will take over policing for the entire publictransport system.

Recruiting now:Be a part of it.

A/Assistant Commissioner MaxMitchell will lead the establishmentphase of the new command untilrecruitment action can becompleted for the substantiveassistant commissioner, hopefullybefore 1 May when the newcommand becomes operational.

Initially, the PTC frontline team

will comprise more than 300 officerscurrently attached to localcommuter crime units, howevertheir ranks will more than double to 610 officers by 2014.

Headed up by an assistantcommissioner, the command teamwill comprise of threesuperintendents, nine inspectors

and a business manager, supportedby 14 administrative staff.

A reduced number of transitofficers will still target fare evasion and minor offences, and will now patrol buses and ferries as well as trains.

Find more information about PTC and regular updates on the intranet. Find itunder > Field Operations > PoliceTransport Command. If you havespecific questions, email thecommand at #PTC.

12 PoliceMonthly MARCH 2012

Based in three primary hubs at Central Sydney, Parramatta and southwestern Sydney, the Police Transport Command will be supported by sevensatellite hubs on the Central Coast and in the Hunter and Illawarra areas toaddress emerging crime trends and changing demographics.