Metro Transit Police Department
| Company type | Transit police agency |
|---|---|
| Industry | Law enforcement |
| Founded | June 4, 1976 |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. , United States |
Number of employees | 760+ |
| Parent | Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority |
| Website | www |
The Metro Transit Police Department (MTPD) functions as the dedicated transit police force for the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), created under the WMATA Compact on June 4, 1976.
Distinct from other law enforcement entities in the United States, MTPD possesses comprehensive police powers across a metro system that spans multiple states, with jurisdiction covering Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C..
Officers and training
The agency's workforce includes 490 sworn officers, 170 special police officers, and a civilian staff exceeding 100 personnel.
Recruits undergo an initial 23-week training program at the Northern Virginia Criminal Justice Training Academy, followed by 15 weeks at the Metro Transit Police Academy, where instruction focuses on laws applicable in Maryland and D.C. This is supplemented by a 10-week period of supervised field training.
Upon completion, officers are fully certified to exercise police authority in Maryland, Washington, D.C., and Virginia, holding powers comparable to local police within WMATA’s operational boundaries.
The MTPD has earned accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.
Patrols
Transit Police personnel, both in uniform and plainclothes, conduct patrols across the Metrorail and Metrobus networks using various modes including foot patrols, bicycles, motorcycles, as well as marked and unmarked police cars. Investigative assistance is provided by Transit Police detectives.
Jurisdiction
Transit Police officers possess authority to enforce laws and make arrests throughout the Metro service region for offenses and traffic violations occurring on facilities owned, managed, or operated by the Transit Authority—including bus stops—within close proximity of a Metrobus stop or involving threats to Metro property or its users.
These jurisdictional limits do not prevent Metro Transit Police from apprehending suspects within the Transit Zone for infractions connected to these facilities while engaged in hot or close pursuit, or when serving citations and criminal warrants. Additionally, through mutual aid agreements and memoranda of understanding, uniformed officers may intervene in serious crimes witnessed within the Metro service area but beyond their official jurisdiction.
The Metro Transit Police share concurrent jurisdiction with law enforcement agencies representing the Compact’s signatories and their respective subdivisions wherever Authority transit services or facilities operate.
Duties
The primary mission of Transit Police is safeguarding passengers, transit infrastructure, and surrounding communities against terrorist threats. In response to incidents such as the September 11 attacks, 2004 Madrid train bombings, and 7 July 2005 London bombings, the Metro Transit Police Special Response Team undertakes security inspections equipped with tactical gear including long rifles, submachine guns, and explosive detection K-9 teams. The department also maintains a specialized explosive ordnance disposal unit and K-9 division that frequently assist local and federal law enforcement agencies.
Officers are issued the SIG Sauer P320 Carry 9 mm as their standard sidearm, having transitioned from earlier models such as the SIG Sauer P226 or P229 chambered in .40 S&W. They receive training for deployment of pepperball launchers and shotguns as part of their operational equipment.
Units
The MTPD consists of various specialized divisions designed to execute its responsibilities effectively, such as:
- Bicycle Patrol Officers
- Motorcycle Officers
- Civil Disturbance Unit
- Crime Scene Search Officers
- Crime Analysis and Records Division
- Criminal Investigation Division
- Digital Evidence Unit
- Explosive Detection Canine Team
- Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit
- Police Communication Division
- Property and Evidence Unit
- Special Response Team
- Tactical Operations Division
- Training Division
- Warrant and Fugitive Unit
- Youth Services Division
- Community Outreach Branch
Fallen officers
Since the department's establishment, two officers from MTPD have lost their lives while performing their duties. Officer Harry Davis, Jr. was killed by gunfire in Landover, Maryland, on December 20, 1993, during an investigation involving a stolen vehicle near the Landover station. Officer Marlon Morales was shot by a suspect evading fare payment at the U Street station on June 10, 2001, passing away three days afterward. Both perpetrators were identified, arrested, prosecuted, and convicted—Davis’ assailant received a first-degree murder sentence, while Morales’ shooter was sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.
Eating and drinking
Local regulations forbid consuming food or beverages aboard Metrobus and Metrorail trains as well as inside stations. Officers are mandated to respond to observed infractions; however, arrests for these minor violations are infrequent. Exceptions include a 2000 event where a 12-year-old was detained for eating fries at Tenleytown–AU station and a 2004 incident involving an EPA employee arrested for eating a candy bar inside Metro Center station after refusing citation compliance.
Metro adopts a strict no-tolerance stance toward crime and disorderly conduct—including minor offenses such as eating or littering—reflecting the broken windows theory aimed at reducing criminal activity. This policy, combined with station designs focused on crime prevention, contributed to Washington Metro’s standing as one of the safest and cleanest subway systems in the United States by 1996. Nevertheless, recent safety issues and events such as the complete shutdown in March 2016 have challenged this reputation.
Restrooms
To prevent vandalism and other problems, Metro restricts restroom access within stations primarily to employees. In June 2016, an incident occurred when a pregnant woman was refused restroom access at Shady Grove station. Since that time, passenger use of restrooms is permitted with approval from the station manager except during elevated terror threat levels.
Random bag searches
On October 27, 2008, Metro Transit Police introduced random inspections of backpacks, purses, and bags before boarding or entering stations as a security enhancement measure. Legal justification for these searches is grounded in precedents related to mass transit systems and other secure venues. Metro Transit Police Chief Michael Taborn stated intentions to address suspicious conduct even if individuals attempt to avoid searches. Security analyst Bruce Schneier criticized the initiative as largely symbolic without delivering substantial security improvements.
The Metro Riders' Advisory Council requested public forums regarding the search program; however, no searches took place through late 2008. In December 2010, Metro resumed random bag inspections starting on December 21, utilizing explosive residue swabs and X-ray screening for suspicious items. Early false positives were attributed to factors such as contact with firearms or visits to shooting ranges. Civil liberties organizations opposed the practice citing Fourth Amendment issues and questioning its effectiveness. A public meeting held in January 2011 revealed significant rider opposition; nonetheless, Metro officials considered the program effective with few complaints reported.
As of 2022, no random bag searches have been conducted for several years.
See also
- Maryland Transportation Authority Police
- List of law enforcement agencies in the District of Columbia