City Rail State Transit officers patrol Central station. Picture: John Grainger Source: The Daily Telegraph

A report detailing NSW Police has found the force is top-heavy and there are not enough police on the front line.

The Rail, Tram and Bus Union, representing Transit Officers, says the news proves a plan to scrap RailCorp’s dedicated Transit Officers with NSW Police is simply not going to work.

“This throws into doubt the capacity for NSW Police to properly take on the new responsibility of protecting commuters on the transport network,” RTBU NSW Secretary Alex Claassens said.

“Instead of improving safety by putting more staff, the Government has pulled a smoke and mirrors trick by merely handing over responsibility for rail security to the police.

“It’s completely contradictory for the Government to hand the Transit Officer role to the cops, when it’s own review of policing has found that police should be focusing more on core responsibilities.”

Mr Claassens said instead of cutting jobs, the State Government should be investing in more security staff for better passenger safety.

“Handing over rail safety and security to the police failed before, and it will fail again.

“If the police are dealing with an emergency somewhere else, the transit police will be taken off the network and deployed to other duties.

“This will leave rail commuters exposed to a much higher risk of crime and violence.”

He said Transit Officers also protect other rail workers – particularly at night.

“The answer is to retain and expand RailCorp’s Transit Officers, improve coordination of Transit Officers and the NSW Commuter Crime Unit, and to provide a more visible safety and security network on public transport.”