The first of Victoria's new protective service officers expect to be on the platforms of City Loop and some inner metropolitan stations next month.

They will aim to make rail network users safer by reducing the incidence of antisocial behaviour, alcohol and drug-related offences, crime and damage to railway property.

A national survey of community satisfaction with policing last year showed that though more than 82 per cent of people said they felt safe taking public transport during the day, only 35.7 per cent felt the same confidence at night.

A key plank of the Baillieu government's election campaign was to place Victoria Police-trained protective service officers (PSOs) at all metropolitan and regional stations from 6pm until the last train, seven days a week. The government also promised an increased police presence on train, tram and bus networks.

Unarmed PSOs trained by Victoria Police already work in courts, Parliament and some government offices but their new colleagues on the rail network will be armed.

"The training for these new people has been increased from eight to 12 weeks and the first group of 21 is currently training at the Police Academy," says Acting Senior Sergeant Jenelle Kelly, of Victoria Police's recruitment services.

She expects they will be ready to start work next month, the first of 93 expected to be trained and deployed by the end of the financial year. Eventually, 940 PSOs are expected to work at the state's metropolitan and regional stations.

Kelly says the first group includes people from customer service, retail and labouring backgrounds. "They range in age from 19 to 57 and include two women," she says.

Some applicants say they are attracted by the opportunity to serve their local community and some see it as a possible first step towards a police career.

Although the officers will not be riding the trains and their powers are limited to relatively small geographic areas, Kelly doubts they will be bored. "They will work in pairs, initially paired up with transit police, and their job will primarily be about community engagement and prevention of crime as well as picking up the pieces if it has occurred."

She says the work hours have not stopped a steady flow of applicants for the position. "A lot of people prefer to work evening hours rather than a standard Monday-to-Friday day job because of family or other commitments."

Based at the same station each day, the PSOs will get to know regular commuters and be on the lookout for people likely to make trouble. "They'll know who comes and goes and who needs to be kept an eye on," Kelly says.

"While they are at the academy they will learn about youth issues and how to engage with people of all ages. If they expect someone will cause a problem after they leave the station, they will be able to let police know."

Kelly says Victoria Police is keen to see a diverse group of people, including women and people from varied ethnic backgrounds, moving into the new roles.

"It is important that the PSOs represent the whole community," she says. "We are looking for fit people who can communicate and engage with people from all walks of life - that's the most important skill for police and protective services officers."

Officers wanted:

Recruitment for Victoria's new protective service officer (PSO) positions is continuing.

To reach interview stage, applicants must first pass the pre-entrance police examination and undergo background checks and a medical, fitness and psychological assessment.

PSOs will work five nights a week but eventually all metropolitan and some country stations will be staffed until the last train every night.

The full-time jobs offer a salary of $49,566 a year from the first day of training and, when deployed, PSOs will be eligible to receive shift allowances for some night and weekend hours. Benefits and entitlements are the same as those offered to police and include seven weeks of annual leave and long service leave after 7½ years.

Link: policecareer.vic.gov.au