Metropolitan Transit Police
Making the streets safe for customers, transit employees & pedestrians
Metro Transit has its own police force committed to the safety of its customers and employees, serving eight counties and 85 cities in the region. There are approximately 69 full-time officers, 55 part-time officers, four community service officers and five administrative staff dedicated to one thing: public safety on and near our transit system.
Transit Police officers ride buses and trains as well as patrol along bus routes, Hiawatha light rail and the Northstar Line. Sometimes officers patrol out of uniform – one could be on your next bus. Transit Police officers also inspect fares on Hiawatha and Northstar trains.
A recent addition to the force is community service officers – those who are studying law enforcement but are not yet sworn officers. These future licensed police officers assist with tasks such as traffic and crowd control, which frees time for sworn officers to concentrate on enforcement duties.
Security investments lead to reduced crime
In 2007, Metro Transit Police implemented a five-fold increase in onboard hours, averaging more than 1,300 hours per month riding buses and checking in with operatros and customers. In 2009, officers spent an average of 1,400 hours per month onboard.
All buses in the Metro Transit fleet have onboard cameras. In 2007, Metro Transit enhanced video capabilities on 240 buses, adding multi-camera digital recording systems, to help Transit Police identify and prosecute criminals.
Transit Police have partnerships with other law enforcement agencies and community organizations like MADDADS, a group whose members ride buses to encourage respect and foster bus-riding etiquette.
As a result of these ongoing efforts, crime in 2009 dropped 22 percent from the previous year.
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