The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority received 950 applications in the first 24 hours of starting its recruitment phase for its in-house public safety department, officials announced Friday.
Metro has entered the next phase of building its public safety department by recruiting qualified law enforcement officers to serve among the first sworn personnel. This foundation group of officers are expected to play a critical role in shaping the department’s culture, policies and community-focused approach from the ground up, according to the transit agency.
Last week, Metro launched its website, JoinMetroDPS.com, in which interested individuals can learn more about the department of public safety’s mission, hiring process, training model and community-centered policing philosophy. Prospective candidates can learn about the application materials, minimum qualifications and details about the competitive pay, and robust benefit package being offered.
Entry level police officers with Metro can earn up to $130,499 per year, according to agency’s website.
“Metro’s ongoing efforts to enhance safety, build trust and create a welcoming environment for all riders is evidenced by this important milestone,” Metro Board Chair Fernando Dutra said.
The department of public safety is led by “seasoned law enforcement professionals with experience at the local and federal levels,” according to Metro. Additionally, the department will include Metro’s ambassadors, homeless outreach teams, crisis and community intervention teams to assist customers and respond to quality-of-life issues.
The aim is to match each situation with the most appropriate responder, Metro said.
“We are excited to mark this important milestone as we begin this critical next phase of building out Metro’s own Department of Public Safety. Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins said in a statement. “We have built a strong foundation that reflects our deep commitment to accountability, training and community-centered policing to lead our training program.”
“Metro is leading the nation in creating a new approach to public safety for transit as it builds its Department of Public Safety (DPS) from the ground up,” Wiggins added.
The department of public safety will provide law enforcement training tailored to the transit environment. It will also cover awareness issues that are unique to transit, as well as trauma-informed response, de-escalation and customer service training.
“This is a rare opportunity in law enforcement,” Metro Chief of Police and Emergency Management William Scott said in a statement. “Joining this department means more than taking a job, it means helping to build a culture that protects the community from day one.”
“We are looking for individuals who are committed to service, who value relationships, and who want a voice in creating the kind of department they’ve always wanted to join,” Scott added, who previously led the San Francisco Police Department.
In 2024, the Metro Board of Directors unanimously approved the establishment of an in-house public safety department to ensure increased visibility, accountability and consistent service delivery.
The decision came in the wake of a string of highly publicized crimes that occurred on Metro’s bus and rail systems. Metro also contended with rising costs in contract services with the Los Angeles Police Department, L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and Long Beach Police Department.
Metro Board of Directors had raised concerns about the agency’s inability to have more control of the locations where outside law enforcement personnel could be posted, among other issues.
By the end of 2029, Metro aims to deploy its in-house police officers alongside its other public safety teams utilizing a zone-based deployment model. Each zone will have at least one crisis co-response team assigned to respond to calls and do proactive engagement on board trains, buses and at Metro transit stations.