Vic PSOs may be given new powers

Victoria's transport police may be given new powers after incorrectly issuing infringement notices. Source: AAP

VICTORIA Police are open to granting new powers to the state's public transport protectors, after it was discovered they issued hundreds of infringement notices without having the authority to hand them out.

The notices have had to be withdrawn after an internal police audit found Protective Services Officers (PSOs) had been acting outside their authority.

Assistant Commissioner Chris O'Neill blamed a misinterpretation of the legislation for the bungle, but said Victoria Police would be open to granting PSOs those powers.

"We'd be more than happy to have the conversation with the DOJ (Department of Justice)," he said on Thursday.

The PSOs incorrectly issued 338 infringement notices from February 2012, until the audit caught the mistake in late August this year.

Most of the infringements were for traffic offences under the Road Safety Act, but there were also seven incorrect notices issued under the Liquor Control Reform Act.

Letters had been sent to those affected by the mistake, and all fines and demerits points will be refunded.

Victorian Premier Denis Napthine said the government would consider granting the PSOs new powers.

"If the Victoria Police as a result of this investigation determine they want further powers provided to PSOs ... then we'll have a look at that," he said.

The error applies to around two per cent of the overall number of infringements issued by PSOs since their deployment.

Mr O'Neill said PSO training had been reviewed and changed to ensure it complies with the current legislation.

"This is not an error on their behalf, they were doing their job the way they had been trained and unfortunately the information provided to them was wrong," he said.

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