Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
APRIL 16, 2026
Subject
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY POST ORDINANCE
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
APPROVE the ordinance affirming Metro’s commitment to meet the minimum recruitment and training standards for peace officers and public safety dispatchers set by the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) (Attachment A).
Issue
ISSUE
In alignment with Metro’s mission and comprehensive safety and security framework, staff continue to implement the plan to stand up Metro’s Department of Public Safety (DPS), formerly named the Transit Community Public Safety Department (TCPSD). As part of that implementation, Metro plans to begin hiring sworn officers this fiscal year and is committed to following the minimum hiring and training requirements established by POST. Metro also plans to join POST as a member agency.
To become a POST member agency, the Metro Board must approve an ordinance affirming its commitment to comply with POST’s recruitment and training requirements. At its March 2026 Board meeting, Metro introduced an ordinance affirming this commitment for peace officers and public safety dispatchers. The Board is required to wait at least five days following the ordinance’s introduction before taking action. As this requirement has been met, staff now requests that the Board approve the ordinance.
Background
BACKGROUND
California Public Utilities Code Section 30504 authorizes Metro to form a transit police department and requires that Metro adhere to the standards for recruitment and training of peace officers as established by POST. At its September 2025 meeting, the Board approved a resolution affirming its commitment to comply with POST requirements for the hiring and training of sworn officers, a necessary step in order for Metro to become a POST member agency. POST's mission is to promote professionalism in California law enforcement by upholding the highest standards of quality, integrity, and accountability. These minimum standards apply to newly hired peace officers, reserve officers, and public safety dispatch personnel.
In addition to complying with the POST hiring and recruitment requirements, California law enforcement agencies can choose to participate as members in the POST Program. Joining the POST program is voluntary, and there is no cost to the agency. More than 600 agencies have joined this program, which has provided its members with access to many benefits, including management counseling services, development of new training courses, reimbursement for eligible training, quality leadership training programs, and a variety of training resources, such as instructional and training videos.
After reviewing the Board-approved resolution, POST requested that Metro adopt a more formal ordinance affirming the commitments outlined in the resolution. That ordinance was introduced at the March 2026 Operations, Safety, and Customer Experience Committee meeting.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Staff recommends that the Board approve the attached ordinance, introduced in March 2026, formally committing Metro to comply with the minimum recruitment and training standards established by POST. The ordinance affirms that, pursuant to Sections 13510 and 13512 of Chapter 1, Title 4, Part 4 of the California Penal Code, the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority will adhere to the standards for recruitment and training of Peace Officers and Public Safety Dispatchers established by POST.
These standards and training will promote professionalism in the recruitment and hiring of peace officers and public safety dispatchers within the DPS. Upon adoption, Metro will submit the ordinance to POST along with a request to join POST as a member agency. If Metro’s application is approved, membership will allow Metro access to the numerous resources and benefits available to POST member agencies. Staff has been working closely with POST, and this ordinance is the only remaining issue still needing approval.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The DPS will enhance systemwide safety by increasing visibility, strengthening accountability, and supporting community engagement throughout the Metro transit system.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no financial impact to this action.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
In their publication “Becoming an Exemplary Peace Officer, The Guide to Ethical Decision Making” POST posits “The most basic responsibility of policing agencies is to protect and serve the community by equitably and respectfully enforcing the law.”
As a benefit of joining the POST Program, Metro’s DPS sworn officers will gain access to valuable resources, including management counseling services, development of new training courses, leadership development programs, and updated training materials, including training domains focused on equitable policing and procedural justice.
Resources include training on recognizing and avoiding racial profiling and interacting with individuals with support needs related to mental health and cognitive development.
These resources will help ensure that Metro’s sworn officers and public safety dispatchers are well-trained, highly qualified, and prepared to respectfully and equitably serve the diverse communities that rely on the Metro system.
Vehicle_Miles_Traveled _Outcome
VEHICLE MILES TRAVELED OUTCOME
VMT and VMT per capita in Los Angeles County are lower than national averages, the lowest in the SCAG region, and on the lower end of VMT per capita statewide, with these declining VMT trends due in part to Metro’s significant investment in rail and bus transit.* Metro’s Board-adopted VMT reduction targets align with California’s statewide climate goals, including achieving carbon neutrality by 2045. To ensure continued progress, all Board items are assessed for their potential impact on VMT.
As part of these ongoing efforts, this item is expected to contribute to further reductions in VMT. While this item does not directly encourage taking transit, sharing a ride, or using active transportation, it is a vital part of Metro operations, as it will improve and further encourage transit ridership through enhancing safety on the Metro system and providing an improved customer experience. Because the Metro Board has adopted an agency-wide VMT Reduction Target, and this item supports the overall function of the agency, this item is consistent with the goals of reducing VMT.
*Based on population estimates from the United States Census and VMT estimates from Caltrans’ Highway Performance Monitoring System (HPMS) data between 2001-2019.
Implementation_Of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
The recommendation supports Strategic Plan Goals #2.1: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system; Metro is committed to improving security and #5.6: Provide responsive, accountable, and trustworthy governance within the Metro organization; Metro will foster and maintain a strong safety culture.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Staff will continue to actively engage employees and the public during the implementation of the DPS. Staff will report back to the Board quarterly with progress updates.
Attachments
ATTACHMENT
Attachment A - POST Ordinance
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Imelda Hernandez, Senior Manager, Transportation Planning, (213)
922-4848
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: William Scott, Chief of Police and Emergency Management, (213) 922-5448
