The Victoria Transit Patrol was formed in 1878 after the Victoria Railway Commissioner determined that there was a need for a detective to investigate crimes, missing luggage and freight, and accidents that took place on the railway system. They were expanded in 1890 with the introduction of officers who made random checks at railway stations to arrest those who evaded fares. These officers were initially referred to as “Flying Gangs” but were later called Ticket Examiners. In 1899, the name used for detectives of the organization changed to Special Inquiry Officers and they became their own branch within what was then, the Victorian Railways. Another name change came in 1947 when the Special Inquiry Branch was renamed the Railway Investigation Division and the officers were referred to as Railway Investigation Officers. The Transit Patrol has had numerous other divisions including the Armored Vehicle Division that was used to transport payrolls and station revenue. In 1986, Transit Patrol took over the policing of trams and buses in addition to their railway duties. It was approximately one year later when the department became managed by the
Victoria Police while still coming under the Metropolitan / State Transport Authority's umbrella at which time it was renamed the Transit Patrol. In 1992, the Transit Patrol became defunct and ceased to exist. ==Sidearms and Equipment==