The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department (MTAPD) is a division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority in New York state.[2] MTA police officers are fully empowered under the New York State Public Authorities Law and are commissioned in the state of Connecticut. Their geographic area of employment extends to all counties in New York served by the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, giving officers the ability to exercise full police authority within the counties of Dutchess, Putnam, Orange, Rockland, Westchester, Nassau, Suffolk, and in New York City.
The MTA Police Department is the primary railroad police agency in New York State and Connecticut. The New York City subways are patrolled by the NYPD Transit Bureau under contract since 1994.
Since 2019, the MTA Police has officers conducting daily subway patrols in New York City in an effort to assist the NYPD in addressing quality of life issues, like homelessness, that affect commuters.
The department was formed on January 1, 1998, with the consolidation of the Long Island Rail Road Police Department and the Metro-North Railroad Police Department. Since 9/11, the department has expanded in size and has ramped up dramatically its counter-terrorism capabilities, adding canine teams and emergency services officers. There is one lieutenant, four sergeants, and 44 police officers who are assigned to the K-9 Unit and serve as handlers with their canine partners. The department has one of the best trained K-9 units in the United States. At a national competition in 2013, two MTA Police dogs took third and fourth place in explosives detection.[3]
Currently, training for new recruits is conducted at the New York City Police Academy. After successfully completing the academy curriculum, officers are further trained in Connecticut law and law enforcement procedures.
Staten Island
On June 1, 2005, the Staten Island Rapid Transit Police Department, with 25 officers, was merged into the MTA Police Department. The Staten Island Rapid Transit Police Department was responsible for policing the Staten Island Rapid Transit System in the borough of Staten Island in New York City. This was the final step in consolidating MTA agency law enforcement, and increased the total workforce of the department to 716, including civilians.[4]
New York City Subway
On September 12, 2019, the MTA announced the addition of 500 MTAPD officers to patrol the New York City Subway, nearly doubling the 783 officers previously employed by the MTAPD. This came shortly after Governor Andrew Cuomo directed the MTA to solve the issue of homelessness in the subway system.[5]
After criticism of multiple high-profile arrests, multiple MTA board members expressed concerns over the added police presence, citing the high cost of personnel, estimated at $249 million over four years.[6][7]
Rank insignia for Sergeant and Detective Sergeant (when in uniform) is worn on the upper sleeves of the shirt and jacket while rank insignia for Lieutenant through Chief of Department is worn on the collars of the shirt and the shoulders of the jacket.
Power and authority
MTA Police van, No. 2502
MTAPD officers are New York State police officers according to New York State Criminal Procedure Law, §1.20(34- meaning they have police powers in all of New York State.[12]
Officers are also commissioned officers in Connecticut, as MTAPD works in Connecticut (see above section).
Uniforms and equipment
MTAPD Sergeant in everyday uniform
Despite being a state (or inter-state) law enforcement agency, MTAPD officers wear similar uniform to NYPD personnel.
The ESU and Hybrid Threat Unit wears a less formal version without metal badges and pins, and with writing on their shirts and jackets, with no "shield".[14]
A variety of vests, gloves and other appropriate gear for the season/duty can be worn, such as traffic vests.
MTAPD officers are all armed with a pistol and also carry:
Taser
Expandable baton
OC spray
Handcuffs
Radio that is linked with central despatch and other officers
notebooks and pens.
All officers wear a police badge (known in New York as a "shield") on their left chest, in regular and ceremonial uniform. The colour and style changes with rank.
Districts
There are currently 11 police districts within the MTA Police Department:
MTA Police Department’s Explosive Detection Training Course Canine Graduation
The department has the following specialized units (details):[16]
Canine (K-9) Unit - provides special police dog support
Computer Crimes Unit
Emergency Services Unit[17] - police officers, with special equipment, who are trained for a variety of serious emergencies. Similar to the units of the Port Authority Police and New York City Police.
Detective Division - investigates serious crimes to do with MTA
Highway Unit[18]also known as "Highway Patrol" - patrols and protects the MTA bridges, highways, tunnels and other roads.
Homeless Assistance Unit
Interagency Counterterrorism Task Force - works with other New York state and city agencies.
A group of MTAPD vehicles parked together. Notice the various lightbars and colour schemes in use.)
The MTAPD has a Patrolman's Benevolent Association, which is a union for the MTA Police officers, from the ranks of "Officer" to "Lieutenant" inclusive.
The primary purpose of the MTA PBA is to serve as a representative for the welfare of union members and to be the sole collective bargaining agent for all Police Officers, Detectives, Sergeants, and Lieutenants.
Social media
The MTAPD has a Twitter account, that it uses to disseminate useful information for users of the MTA.
^"PBA History | MTA Police Benevolent Association". The two departments began the task of merging the departments immediately and on January 1, 1998 the two departments officially became the Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department.
^"MTA.info | MTA Police". web.mta.info. Retrieved November 20, 2017. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police Department is the police agency of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority.
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