The first Police Public Safety Officer (PPSO) squad has joined Operation Ventura as part of their practical, on-the-job training ahead of graduating later this month.

Set to graduate on 26 June, the new recruits recently had the opportunity to put their training into action at the Palmerston Bus Interchange, working alongside experienced officers in a high-visibility policing operation.

Now in its third week, Operation Ventura has continued to deliver strong results targeting anti-social behaviour in known hotspots across Palmerston, with more than 40 arrests made and more than 680 litres of alcohol seized and disposed of.

Superintendent Katie Hatizimalis said the operation provided invaluable experience for the recruits while strengthening the police presence in the community.

“Territorians will see these new recruits graduate in just a few weeks, before they begin working in public places, around public housing and transport location and at public events across the Territory,” Superintendent Hatizimalis said.

“Having recruits participate in police operations as part of their training is incredibly valuable because it gives them real-world experience responding to challenging situations, while also allowing them to engage with the community and provide a visible deterrent to anti-social behaviour.”