The inaugural Police Public Safety Officer (PPSO) Squad 1 has been sworn in after commencing training on Monday 23 February 2026, marking a historic moment for the NT Police Force.
This squad will forever be etched in NT Police Force history, becoming the first PPSOs in the Territory after the merging of police auxiliary, public housing safety and transit safety streams to strengthen visible policing and help tackle anti-social behaviour within communities.
The first of three squads planned for 2026, a total of 24 officers commenced an 18-week training program with a graduation date set for Friday 26 June and set to officially commence work on Monday 29 June 2026.
NT Police Force Commissioner Martin Dole said the ceremony marked an exciting new stream of officers joining the Northern Territory Police Force.
“A swearing-in ceremony is always a monumental moment in the careers of police officers,” he said.
“What lies ahead is four months of hard work before they can celebrate the completion of their training when they graduate in late June.
“The NTPF is committed to improving community confidence, reducing anti-social behaviour and creating safer public spaces through a highly visible and readily engaged police capability.
PPSOs are sworn police officers and receive the same training for defensive tactics, firearms and other accoutrements as constables.
They will undertake high visibility patrols of the Darwin and Palmerston bus networks and will proactively patrol and respond to antisocial behaviour at Northern Territory Government housing sites, which are subject to administration and enforcement under the Housing Act 1982 (NT).
PPSOs will also undertake high visibility patrols of identified hotspots in the Greater Darwin area, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs, and conduct Point of Sale Intervention (POSI) duties across Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
Another role of PPSOs is to undertake custody management and front counter duties in the Greater Darwin area, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.
The NT Police Force has scheduled three PPSO recruit courses this year and plan to have 72 PPSOs graduate before the end of December 2026.
We’re recruiting for Police Public Safety Officers now.
