Metro News Release

For immediate release: September 28, 2005

Metro Transit Police to gain explosives detection dogs through Transportation Security Administration canine program

Members of the Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) will travel to Lackland Air Force Base near San Antonio, Texas, in October to participate in the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. While in <" xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Texas, the officers will be matched with canine partners, and the teams will complete 10 weeks of training that includes dog handling and search techniques.

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After being trained, the MTPD officers and dogs will return to the region and go through approximately one month of specific training in the Metro system to familiarize the dogs with the sights, sounds smells, and peculiarities of the bus and rail system. The dogs must be accustomed to entering and exiting trains and buses, walking on escalators, and working in crowds of people. After this additional training, the TSA will certify the canine and officer teams.

"This is another example of partnering with the Federal government to assist us in adding an additional layer of security and explosive detection to ensure the safety of our customers," said Metro Transit Police Chief Polly Hanson.

Metro is one of 10 mass transit and commuter rail systems in the United States selected by the TSA to participate in a program to get more explosive detection dogs into the mass transit environment. The TSA already has trained more than 350 teams of explosive detection canines and handlers for the nation’s airports.

Under the program, TSA will provide Metro with dogs, training, yearly evaluations, and partial reimbursement to cover costs associated with the program.

News release issued on September 28, 2005.