‘Inherently dangerous and unnecessary’: NT buses will soon be patrolled by armed officers

First Nations lawyers and politicians warn the change will disproportionately affect Indigenous people, making them feel ‘less safe, rather than more safe’

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Transit safety and public housing officers in the Northern Territory will soon be armed with guns, in what the territory’s First Nations legal service has labelled an “inherently dangerous and unnecessary” move that would “disproportionately impact Aboriginal Territorians”.

The first of a new force of armed Police Public Safety Officers (PPSOs) will begin patrolling Darwin, Palmerston, Katherine and Alice Springs in June, after an 18-week training program. Legislation to create the new PPSOs was introduced by the NT government last year, in response to what they said was an increase in antisocial behaviour on public transport.