Presence

Metro Transit police officers respond to and investigate all crimes that are reported on transit and at transit facilities throughout the eight-county region, and assist partner law enforcement agencies as needed. Police officers regularly ride transit and remotely monitor trains, stations, and buses using real-time security cameras. 

Learn more about becoming a Metro Transit Police Officer

CSOs are part-time members of the Metro Transit Police Department who are enrolled in degree programs and on their way to law enforcement careers. Their duties include educating customers about the Code of Conduct, inspecting fares and issuing administrative citations, and assisting customers on the system. CSOs are currently focused on light rail and in April 2024 will turn their attention to Bus Rapid Transit lines. CSOs will contact police when they observe or suspect illegal behavior, or if someone violating the Code of Conduct refuses to leave transit property after being asked to do so. 

Transit Rider Investment Program (TRIP) Agents ride light rail vehicles to support customers in a variety of ways, including providing information about routes and schedules, educating customers about the Code of Conduct, and administering first aid. TRIP Agents also inspect fares and issue administrative citations for fare non-payment. Like CSOs, TRIP Agents will contact police when they observe or suspect illegal behavior or need assistance removing someone from transit property.  

Supplemental security officers monitor high-traffic locations where there have historically been more calls for police service. Currently, security officers work at Lake Street/Midtown Station, Franklin Avenue Station, Chicago-Lake Transit Center, I-35W & Lake Street Station, Brooklyn Center Transit Center, Uptown Transit Station, Central Station, and Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Terminal 1 and 2. Security officers are primarily in place to discourage behaviors like smoking and littering and will contact police when they observe or suspect illegal behavior. 

To help address issues like unsheltered homelessness and substance use disorders that can show up on transit, representatives from several community-based organizations are regularly providing outreach services on light rail trains and stations. Individuals working on transit as part of Transit Service Intervention Project wear attire featuring the names of the organizations they represent along with blue, Metro Transit-branded vests while on the system.