Metro News Release

For immediate release: October 14, 2010

Metro committee endorses added security

Plans include hiring more Special Police Officers

Metro’s Finance and Administration Committee preliminarily endorsed a plan to hire 17 additional Special Police Officers and extend the agency’s participation in a national explosives detection dog program.

The new Special Police Officers will be assigned to Metrobus facilities in the District of Columbia, Maryland and Virginia to help reduce the possibility of theft or vandalism of Metro property. The increased security force will enable the Metro Transit Police Department to provide around-the-clock coverage at all Metrobus facilities without incurring overtime costs.

“Adding officers and continuing our K9 force, will allow Metro to continue its all important work of minimizing its security risks and preventing unsafe situations at its facilities,” said Mortimer Downey, who chairs Metro’s Safety and Security Committee. “By enhancing security at our facilities, we are providing additional safety for our customers and employees.”

Metro’s Finance and Administration Committee endorsed the plan to hire 17 additional Special Police Officers to increase security staffing of bus divisions and amend the operations budget to include the $900,000 annual cost.

Metro currently has 132 Special Police Officers on staff, providing security and access control at Metro’s bus facilities, rail yards and other Metro-owned or operated buildings.

The Finance and Administration Committee also gave the Metro Transit Police Department preliminary approval to extend its participation in the Transportation Security Administration’s National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program for another five years. During this period, the Transportation Security Administration will provide a $1.02 million grant to Metro to maintain its five K-9 teams, which were originally provided by the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program. In 2005, the TSA awarded a grant for Metro to purchase the dogs, train the dogs and handlers, and cover other program expenses.

The Metro Board of Directors will vote on both measures at the Oct. 28 Board of Directors meeting.

News release issued at 9:40 am, October 14, 2010.