Providing a welcoming and safe experience on transit is our highest priority. And we know from listening to our riders and staff that having a strong, official presence on transit is one of the best things we can do to achieve that goal.
That’s why we’re putting more people in more places, including police officers, Community Service Officers (CSOs), Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) Agents and supplemental security officers.
With more layers of security, it’s important to understand the distinct roles of each position.
Police Officers
Metro Transit police officers respond to and investigate all crimes that are reported on transit and at transit facilities throughout the eight-county region, and assist partner law enforcement agencies as needed. Police officers regularly ride transit and remotely monitor trains, stations and buses using real-time security cameras.
Learn more about becoming a Metro Transit Police Officer
Community Service Officers (CSOs)
CSOs are part-time members of the Metro Transit Police Department who are enrolled in degree programs and on their way to law enforcement careers. Their duties educating riders about the Code of Conduct, inspecting fares and issuing administrative citations, and assisting customers on the system. CSOs are currently focused on light rail and in April 2024 will turn their attention to Bus Rapid Transit lines. CSOs will contact police when they observe or suspect illegal behavior, or if someone violating the Code of Conduct refuses to leave transit property after being asked to do so.
Learn more about becoming a Metro Transit Community Service Officer
Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) Agents
Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) Agents ride light rail vehicles to support riders in a variety of ways, including providing information about routes and schedules, educating riders about the Code of Conduct, and administering first aid. TRIP Agents also inspect fares and issue administrative citations for fare non-payment. Like CSOs, TRIP Agents will contact police when they observe or suspect illegal behavior or need assistance removing some from transit property.
Supplemental security officers
Supplemental security officers monitor high-traffic locations where there have historically been more calls for police service. Currently, security officers work at Lake Street/Midtown Station, Franklin Avenue Station, Chicago-Lake Transit Center, I-35W& Lake Street Station, Brooklyn Center Transit Center and Uptown Transit Station. Security officers are primarily in place to discourage behaviors like smoking and littering and will contact police when they observe or suspect illegal behavior.
Transit Service Intervention Project (TSIP) Personnel
To help address issues like unsheltered homelessness and substance use disorders that can show up on transit, representatives from several community-based organizations are regularly providing outreach services on light rail vehicles and stations. Individuals working on transit as part of Transit Service Intervention Project wear attire featuring the names of the organizations they represent along with blue, Metro Transit-branded vests while on the system
Operations staff
Many Metro Transit employees spend time on the system monitoring conditions and responding to service and facility needs. This includes Rail and Transit Supervisors who help direct buses and trains when there are delays or detours and facilities staff who clean and repair transit facilities. Rail and Transit Supervisors typically wear black shirts and khaki pants with Metro Transit logos; facilities staff typically wear bright orange or yellow.
Contact us
Text for Safety: If you see something suspicious or inappropriate on transit, use Text for Safety to silently report it to Metro Transit. Please include location, route number, bus or train number, the issue, and a description of each person involved. If you witness a crime or have an emergency, call 9-1-1.
Metro Transit Police TipLine: If you witnessed a crime and you're able to provide details that could help police, please call 612-349-7222.