Thanks for all the info - its really interesting hearing about the difference between Wilson 'Transit Officers' and PTA Transit Officers. Im new to this forum so ill introduct myself... I currently work as a Security Officer at Royal Perth Hospital (a public officer... not a contact security officer, in case your wondering). I've been interested in the PTA transit officer position for a while but was on p-plates and was told that i couldnt join as you need a full licence... this was a while ago and ive since applied again, just waiting for a response now.
I thought that i'd give the Wilsons position a go, to get some experience and knowledge of the transport system and maybe this would help when i get to the interview stages of PTA transit officer recruitment. That was until i found this forum haha. The stuff i hear about these Wilsons guys is shocking, ive heard a little bit from cops that come into the hospital but god... these guys must be bad! Im really considering not even going through with a job in Wilsons, even if it is just until i get into PTA.
Anyways, i thought i'd contribute to this thread, so ive done a little research into the last question asked - whether or not a Wilson 'transit officer' can do anything if you refuse to give your name and/or address when asked. So ill add to the response that Fastlane gave. I used to study law, until i realised that i was sleeping through almost every lecture (its REALLY boring stuff), but i did pick up some skills in research and interpretation. So here is an extract of the Criminal Investigation (Identifying People) Act that will give you an understanding of their powers in relation to name/address.
Just remember that in this section 'officer' refers to a police officer, PTA transit officer, Wilsons transit officer (ie. an Authorised Person under the PTA Act), and a few other law enforcement officers that are defined in the regs.
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16. Officer may ask for name, address, etc.
(1) In this section —
personal details, in relation to a person, means —
(a) the person’s full name;
(b) the person’s date of birth;
(c) the address of where the person is living;
(d) the address of where the person usually lives.
(2) If an officer reasonably suspects that a person whose personal details are unknown to the officer —
(a) has committed or is committing or is about to commit an offence; or
(b) may be able to assist in the investigation of an offence or a suspected offence,
the officer may request the person to give the officer any or all of the person’s personal details.
(3) If an officer reasonably suspects that a personal detail given by a person in response to a request is false, the officer may request the person to produce evidence of the correctness of the detail.
(4) A person to whom a request is made under subsection (2) or (3) may request the officer making the request to identify himself or herself.
(5) An officer who is requested by a person to identify himself or herself must do so.
(6) A person who, without reasonable excuse, does not comply with a request made under subsection (2) or (3) commits an offence.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
(7) For the purposes of subsection (6), the fact that an officer did not comply with subsection (5) as soon as practicable is a reasonable excuse.
(8) A person who, in response to a request made under subsection (2), gives any false personal details commits an offence.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
(9) A person who, in response to a request made under subsection (3), produces any false evidence commits an offence.
Penalty: Imprisonment for 12 months.
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So, basically, if a Wilsons transit officer asks you for your name and address and you refuse, he or she can arrest you (using citizen arrest powers) as the penalty includes inprisonment.
Hope this helps
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PS. Please keep posting as this is good stuff!