Critics question government’s new public safety officer proposal

The government’s bold plan to address anti-social behaviour will see a new class of police officer armed and trained, but lack of detail has left many questions unanswered.

Questions remain about the new class of armed police officers announced by Chief Minister Lia Finocchiaro last Wednesday.

The NT Police Association (NTPA), community groups, Opposition and public sector union have expressed their concern about the lack of detail and consultation over the proposed changes.

With two recent deaths in police custody, some organisations are especially concerned about the fact this new corps will be armed, arguing it may cause more harm than good.

What is the new plan?

Public Housing Safety Officer will be replaced with Police Public Safety Officers. Picture: Justin Kennedy

A new class of police officer called Police Public Safety Officers (PPSO) will be trained and deployed to address anti-social behaviour in public housing, on buses, at shopping centres, bottle shops, events and other public places.

PPSO will also replace existing Police Auxiliary Liquor Inspectors (PALI), Transit Safety Officers (TSO) and Public Housing Safety Officers (PHSO).

Training will begin this December with officers operational by early 2026.

The Chief Minister said these changes would “cut duplication, boost visibility and empower our PPSO to tackle anti-social behaviour head-on”.

Will they be armed?

NT Police said the new officers would be trained through the police college.

“The Police Public Safety Officer’s (PPSO) will be trained in, and carry, all police accoutrements (including firearms) as is required by all frontline NT police officers,” Acting assistant commissioner James O’Brien told NT News.

“Importantly, the training for a PPSO through the police college in relation to police accoutrements (including firearms) and operational safety, will be consistent with all other frontline officers.”

What do the workers and unions say?

This move will see PHSO and TSO sit under police for the first time, with the union saying they have “so many unanswered questions”.

“The decision to abolish the PHSO and TSO teams and move them into the NT Police came completely out of the blue and has left staff feeling shell-shocked,” CPSU Regional Secretary David Villegas said.

“They have a right to know what the future holds particularly in relation to their pay and conditions, as well as carrying firearms and being given arrest powers.”

Mr Villegas said PHSO were particularly bothered by the proposal.

“They have built up relationships with public housing tenants over years,” he said.

“They’re concerned they’re going to lose all of that through the amalgamation into PPSO.

“PHSO have built this trust so police can focus on other issues.”

NTPA President Nathan Finn wants more detail. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Speaking to Katie Woolf on MIX104.9, NTPA president Nathan Finn said his association would not form an official position until he had more details.

“There’s a lot of questions that need to be answered and whether that can be supported or not is going to be in the detail,” Mr Finn said.

“And we don’t have that detail at the moment.”

What concerns are there?

Dr John Paterson from Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT) condemned the proposal. Picture: Lisa Hatz Photography.

Justice and health groups, along with the Labor Opposition have all expressed concerns with the proposal.

The peak body for Aboriginal health organisations in the NT, AMSANT, said PPSO would not improve public safety.

“While community safety matters, equipping more people with weapons is not the answer,” AMSANT chief executive Dr John Paterson said.

“It’s a worrying sign of the Territory Government’s continued militarisation of public spaces and its ongoing failure to invest in the real solutions.

“This will not make anyone safer.”

Justice not Jails slammed the move, describing it as a “recipe for disaster”.

“Putting under-trained and over-armed transit officers onto crowded buses with lethal weapons is a shockingly shortsighted recipe for disaster,” a Justice not Jails spokeswoman said.

The Opposition Leader was sceptical about the proposal. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Opposition leader Selena Uibo warned PPSO could do “more harm than good”.

“The Territory Labor Opposition will always support genuine measures to improve community safety — but this policy risks doing the opposite,” she said.

“Like many CLP announcements, it lacks the detail Territorians deserve.”

It is understood the CPSU will be briefed on July 3 and the NTPA on July 11 with some of the finer details of the proposal.

What does the government say?

The Chief Minister said the proposal would streamline policing. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

The Country Liberal Party (CLP) government says the proposal is another part of its law and order agenda.

“This is a model that works really effectively in other jurisdictions and is often full Protective Services Officers,” Ms Finocchiaro said.

“By having this new stream of PPSO, police can be out there focusing on crime, and our PPSO can be out there doing that proactive anti-social behaviour policing and make sure that we have a really high presence and visibility in areas like bottle shops, public places, shopping centres on public transport and Territory Housing establishments.”

Originally published as Critics question government’s new public safety officer proposal