Boosting safety: Police Public Safety Officer model in planning

18 June 2025

The Finocchiaro CLP Government is embarking on significant law and order reform to target antisocial behaviour in public places, as part of our year of action, certainty and security.

Aimed at reducing crime and restoring the Territory lifestyle, the CLP Government and Northern Territory Police Force are developing a new Police Public Safety Officer (PPSO) stream to better deploy frontline resources across key public spaces, which will include:

• A new stream that will consolidate various auxiliary and safety officer roles into one highly operational unit under NT Police, providing standardised training through the Northern Territory Police College.
   
• Transit Safety and Public Housing Safety will cease, and those officers and functions will transition to PPSOs, with police training and powers focused on addressing antisocial behaviour in public housing, on buses, at shopping centres, bottle shops, events and other public places.
   
• PPSOs will wear NT Police uniforms and operate under NT Police command targeting antisocial behaviour and high-visibility patrols.
   
• This reform will see up to 56 officers (34 Public Housing Safety Officers and 22 Transit Safety Officers) in NT Police uniform and deployed on the frontline by the first quarter of 2026.
   
•  Existing Auxiliaries, Transit and Public Housing Safety Officers who do not wish to transition to the new PPSO stream will be supported through a ‘grandfathering’ process, allowing them to continue in their current roles until retirement or redeployment.

The reform responds directly to community concerns about antisocial behaviour in and around public housing, bottle shops, shopping precincts, and on public transport. It also addresses duplication across agencies, confusion around enforcement powers, and operational inefficiencies.

Chief Minister and Police Minister Lia Finocchiaro said the new PPSO model is about boosting frontline presence and delivering real community outcomes.

“We’re cutting duplication, boosting visibility, empowering our PPSO’s to tackle antisocial behaviour head-on,” she said.

“Police are doing an outstanding job, especially dealing with domestic and family violence, which now makes up around 60 per cent of their work. This model gives them the backup they need while delivering stronger community safety outcomes.”

A structured change management process will support affected staff and guide the transition. The first intake of PPSOs is expected to commence training in December 2025, with officers operational in early 2026.

Media contact: Elle Arnold – 0408 663 361