Metro News Release

For immediate release: June 3, 2003

Metro Transit Police Department marks its 27th anniversary

On Wednesday, June 4, 2003, the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) will mark its 27 years of operation. MTPD was created just three months after the Metrorail system began service on the original five Red Line stations. The Metro Transit Police Department is considered one of the premier transit police agencies in the nation, and the following 27 reasons have aided in the department earning its sterling reputation:1) It received national accreditation for the first time in 2001.2) It is led by the first woman to head the department in its 27-year history.3) The current Chief of Police, Polly Hanson, is the fourth chief to lead the department during its existence.4) MTPD led the way nationally in beginning to research and install a system for chemical detection in underground subway stations.5) The department began training its officers in counter-terrorism in 1995 after the sarin gas attack occurred in the Tokyo, Japan subway system.6) The department has 357 sworn police officers and more than 88 non-sworn special police officers.7) MTPD is the only non-federal law enforcement agency with tri-state jurisdiction in the United States, training its officer in the laws and regulations of the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia.8) Because it is such a vital asset to the region, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) obtained $49 million from Congress and the White House for enhancing security at Metro following the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. These funds were used for obtaining explosion-containment trash cans, explosives-detection canines, and upgrades to intrusion alert systems throughout WMATA. 9) Several MTPD officers and one sergeant team with canine " partners," with some of the officers handling two dogs. Many of the dogs are explosives-detection " certified," and the other canines are trained in patrol and drug detection.10) Metro is considered one of the safest transit properties in the nation with a 0.23 percent chance in one million rides of a customer being a victim of a crime. That number compares favorably to surrounding jurisdictions, some of which have recorded upwards of 1,000 crimes per one million people in the population becoming a victim of a crime.11) Studies done outside of Metro indicate that neighborhoods are actually safer when a Metro station serves the neighborhood.12) Metro Transit Police hold regular outreach activities with customers at Metrorail stations on how they can keep themselves from becoming victims of crimes.13) National Crime Prevention Month in October is one of the times each year when MTPD intensifies its security outreach efforts with Metro customers and employees. Although crime is rare in the Metro system, one of the areas in which MTPD has increased security and patrol is Metrorail station parking lots.14) MTPD obtained several towers, which can rise 25 feet in the air, to observe parking lots from a heightened vantage point.15) In addition, MTPD uses modified golf carts in which officers patrol Metrorail parking lots.16) At community outreach events, officers distributed steering-wheel locking devices to customers who park at Metro stations. 17) MTPD officers work closely with regional law enforcement agencies. This partnership aids Metro in remaining safe and in providing additional police response to suspicious activities or crimes.18) MTPD officers are committed to keeping the Metro system safe, paying attention to details and enforcing all rules and regulations across the spectrum, including those against eating, drinking, and smoking in the Metrorail system. It is through the enforcement of these regulations that officers have often discovered persons who are wanted for a more serious crimes. 19) Metro Transit Police Officers gather intelligence from a number of sources on a regular basis, and two detectives are assigned permanently to the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force.20) As have other employees throughout the Authority and in other organizations and agencies, MTPD officers serving in the military reserves have been activated and deployed to undisclosed locations as a result of the War on Iraq. 21) Sadly, in the 27-year history of the department, two officers have made the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives in the performance of their duties: Officer Harry Davis Jr. in December 20, 1993 and Officer Marlon Morales on June 13, 2001.22) MTPD has named one of its district stations in honor of Officer Davis, and plans are underway to build a new district facility near the Fort Totten Metrorail station and name that facility in honor of Officer Morales.23) R.A.T.S., the Rail Anti-crime Target Shift, was created last fall to address specific issues of security, high visibility, and customers who violate public ordinance offenses in Metro.24) MTPD also created the program called the Parking Lot Observer Program (PLOP). PLOP is comprised of Metro employees from other departments who are on limited-duty status and who provide additional " eyes and ears" for MTPD by observing parking lots and report suspicious activities to officers.25) MTPD has a nationally recognized pickpocket/identity theft prevention program, and the department sponsors regular seminars on this topic. When MTPD holds these classes, police officers from other police departments in the region and from other states attend these classes to learn how to recognize the pickpocket criminal and prevent the citizens they serve from becoming victims of this crime.26) One of MTPD’s " canine officers," Bobby, was the inspiration of " Bobby’s law." This Maryland law made it a felony for anyone to attack a police dog while it was in the process of performing its official duties.27) In addition to mobile car patrols, MTPD officers conduct foot, bicycle, and motorcycle patrol, and the department operates a plainclothes unit, Criminal Investigation Division, and Communications Division.

News release issued on June 3, 2003.