Metro News Release
For immediate release: August 18, 2003
Metro Transit Police to graduate its 60th class of recruits
Ceremony is today, August 18, 10 a.m., at Metro headquarters
The Metro Transit Police Department is graduating its 60th class of officer recruits on today, August 18, at 10 a.m., in the Meeting Room at Metro headquarters, 600 Fifth Street, N.W.
The class consists of 11 officers who went through 37 weeks of training, learning the rules, regulations, and laws governing the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia.
The Metro Transit Police Department, which is nationally accredited by the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, is one of the few, if not the only police department, in the country with a tri-jurisdictional patrol area, covering two states as well as the nation’s capital due to the fact that Metro provides service in these three areas.
" We are very proud of the current class of recruits who, as fully certified Metro Transit Police officers, have taken an oath to protect our customers, employees, and facilities," stated Metro Transit Chief of Police Polly Hanson.
" In this era of increased attention to potential terrorist threats, these officers will take their place alongside veteran officers who make up one of the finest police departments in the United States, ready to protect and serve."
The officers include: Thomas S. Chaisone of Winchester, VA Tuan D. Dang of Washington, DC; Linda F. Elmore of Windsor, MD; Kenneth R. Frost of Indian Head, MD; David D. Hall of Arlington, VA; Shana-Marie Jackson of Annapolis, MD; Alonda F. Lewis of Washington, DC; Anthony W. Milton II of Bowie, MD; Nicholas J. Smith of Mt. Rainer, MD; Darren M. Way of Gathersburg, MD; and Brian C. White of Frederick, MD
The ceremony will feature guest speaker Steve Eldridge, reporter with WTOP radio. Metro Deputy General Manager for Operations Jim Gallagher will provide remarks, and Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson will administer the oath of office and present the tri-state diplomas to the graduates.
During the ceremony, three officers will receive top awards in firearms marksmanship, academics, and physical fitness from Captain Jeffery Delinski, Training Director. The three winners will be identified at the ceremony. The recruits participate in rigorous class and field activities during their training. Once they have graduated, these newly sworn officers continue with field work for 10 weeks under the aegis of a veteran officer.
News release issued on August 18, 2003.