RailCorp Transit Officer

Transit Officers were the primary law enforcement authority for RailCorp train services in New South Wales, Australia. Transit Officers conducted uniformed and plain-clothes patrols on CityRail and CountryLink train services and assigned to ensure the security of passengers, staff and rail property. The position was created in 2002 after a report found that rail security required more authority than possessed by the Chubb Security security guards contracted by RailCorp. Official figures show that to date over 600 Transit Officers have been engaged, but the number was scheduled to be cut back to 150.

NSW Transit Officers were phased out in December 2013. All law enforcement functions across all modes of public transport are the responsibility of 610 NSW Police Transport Command officers, supported by their Local Area and other NSW Police Command colleagues.

The Rail Safety Act 2008 provides for persons employed as a RailCorp Transit Officer to be appointed as a "Rail Safety Officer" for the purposes of the Rail Safety Act 2008 and its subordinate legislation. The Act and Regulations establish various railway offences and the powers of an authorised officer in relation to those offences.

A Transit Officer was also able to be appointed as a special constable under the Police (Special Provisions) Act 1901, which would give the Transit Officer similar legal powers as a constable of the New South Wales Police Force, but only while on RailCorp property. A requirement of employment as a Transit Officer is eligibility to be appointed as a special constable.

By virtue of the Rail Safety Act 2008 and the Rail Safety (Offences) Regulation 2008, Transit Officers are empowered to:

In 2013, the Rail Safety Act 2008 was repealed and the NSW Government subsequently introduced a new legislative framework for rail safety under the Rail Safety National Law (NSW). Section 168(3) of the new legislation provides Transit Officers with the power to require proof of identity documentation where they reasonably suspect a name and address provided to them may be false.

Prior to the introduction of the new legislation, unless appointed as a special constable, a Transit Officer had no legal basis to demand identification documents.

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