Meeting_Body
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE
MAY 15, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RESOLUTION
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the resolution with the Department of Justice (DOJ) required for Metro to receive federal criminal history and subsequent arrest reports for designated personnel hired for the Transit Community Public Safety Department (TCPSD).
Issue
ISSUE
Metro is authorized by the DOJ to receive state and local criminal histories, as well as subsequent arrest notifications, for all personnel hired across the agency. As part of the hiring process for TCPSD designated personnel, federal criminal history information must be obtained and considered as part of background investigations. In order to receive federal criminal history information, the DOJ requires an approved Metro Board resolution.
Background
BACKGROUND
In June 2024, the Metro Board approved the implementation of an in-house Transit Community Public Safety Department. As part of the implementation plan, Metro will transition to hiring TCPSD personnel directly rather than contracting with external agencies, such as the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department. This shift is in line with Metro’s broader strategy to establish a dedicated, self-sufficient public safety workforce that is specifically tailored to the unique needs of a transit system. A key component of this plan is ensuring that all sworn personnel meet the rigorous standards required for law enforcement roles, including Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification. POST certification ensures that officers are fully suitable, trained, and qualified to handle the complex responsibilities of ensuring public safety within the transit environment. Additionally, TCPSD designated personnel are defined as those who are required to be POST certified and/or handle sensitive and confidential information as part of their respective role at Metro.
California state minimum selection standards for peace offers outlined in Government Code (GC) sections 1029, 1031 and 1031.4, require that sworn officer candidates be fingerprinted to disclose any criminal record, must not have any felony convictions and must be legally authorized to work in the United States by federal law. In order to receive access to federal criminal history information, Metro requires approval from the DOJ through a resolution, which also authorizes the receipt of subsequent arrest reports.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
An important part of the recruitment and retention process for filling vacant job classifications at Metro is obtaining state and local criminal history information along with subsequent arrest information from the Department of Justice. With the hiring of TCPSD designated personnel, Metro now requires access to information about federal criminal history, including fingerprints, to conduct thorough background investigations, which is a required step of the sworn officer hiring process. Additionally, after hiring and onboarding candidates, Metro will require ongoing federal arrest reports to monitor continued eligibility to serve as TCPSD designated personnel. These reports are a vital part of the background investigation phase of the hiring process and will provide Metro a comprehensive review of TCPSD designated personnel candidate criminal history, ensuring that TCPSD designated personnel meet the highest standards of law enforcement integrity.
It is essential that Metro maintain the ability to process fingerprints through the national database and receive timely reports of any corresponding national criminal history activity. Specifically, federal clearance is required for designated TCPSD personnel, including those who are POST certified and/or handle sensitive and confidential information. By doing this, Metro will be able to ensure that TCPSD designated personnel meet California's minimum peace officer selection standards and are eligible to perform their job duties as part of the TCPSD, enhancing public safety and maintaining community trust. Access to this critical information through the DOJ enables Metro to remain in compliance with all local, state and federal standards as well as make informed recruitment and retention decisions for TCPSD designated personnel.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
Access to federal candidate criminal history information and subsequent arrest reports will have a positive impact on safety, as it will ensure that TCPSD designated personnel selected to serve in the TCPSD meet the highest standards of safety and are prepared to deliver transit community public safety services. This action will ensure that recruitments are in compliance with required legal standards. By integrating sworn officers with non-law enforcement staff, the TCPSD will create a more visible, accessible, and community-focused presence. This balanced approach prioritizes both security and well-being, supporting a safer, more welcoming environment for Metro customers and employees. It enables Metro to address immediate safety concerns, prepare for long-term security needs, and ensure readiness for major upcoming regional events.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Adoption of the resolution with the DOJ will allow Metro to complete critical pre and post recruitment activities for designated personnel within the TCPSD.
Impact to Budget
Adoption of the resolution has no impact on the FY25 budget. The Cost Center manager will be responsible for budgeting recruitment expenses, including DOJ fees, for national background investigations and subsequent arrest reports for TCPSD designated personnel.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This board item is essential to Metro’s ability to effectively recruit personnel and support a comprehensive, equitable approach to public safety through the TCPSD. By deploying both sworn and nonsworn personnel, the TCPSD aims to address:
• Community Safety & Well-Being
• Prevention Support
• Risk Intervention
• Response and Enforcement
Approval of this resolution will grant Metro access to federal criminal history information and arrest records, a critical component of the TCPSD personnel recruitment process, as Metro conducts thorough and compliant vetting of sworn officer candidates. This ensures all TCPSD designated personnel meet the highest standards of integrity, professionalism, and readiness to serve.
This resolution enables Metro to complete safe, equitable, and comprehensive recruitment processes aligned with industry and regulatory standards.
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.
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 is an important step forward in establishing the TCPSD. By ensuring a more secure and visible transit environment, this action supports Metro’s ability to provide a reliable, safe, and attractive alternative to driving. 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 goal 2.1, “Metro is committed to improving security.” Approval of the DOJ resolution for Metro to receive federal criminal history information and subsequent arrest reports for TCPSD designated personnel will ensure that Metro will be able to hire the staff needed to establish a Transit Community Public Safety Department. Sworn officers, together with the TCPSD’s non-sworn team, will enhance safety, security, visibility, and provide alternatives to traditional policing through a multi-layered approach.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may choose not to approve the DOJ resolution allowing Metro to receive federal criminal history information and subsequent arrest reports for TCPSD designated personnel. However, this resolution is critical for Metro to obtain the necessary information to safely and effectively recruit qualified personnel for the TCPSD. Not approving this resolution is not recommended, as it would delay the recruitment of essential personnel, hindering the TCPSD’s multi-layered approach to public safety. Metro has explored alternatives for third-party agencies to conduct national investigations; however, this approach would not be cost-effective given the volume of personnel required for the TCPSD. Additionally, such alternatives would provide Metro limited and/or outdated information, failing to meet the standards necessary for thorough vetting of TCPSD designated personnel candidates, including maintaining Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST) certification for the state of California.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, Metro will coordinate with the Department of Justice to receive federal criminal history information and subsequent arrest reports for TCPSD designated personnel.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A - Department of Justice Resolution for Transit Community Public Safety Department
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Nancy Saravia, Deputy Executive Officer, Administration, (213) 922-1217
Don Howey, Executive Officer, Administration, (213) 922-8867
Sandra Blanco-Sanchez, Senior Executive Officer, Special Programs, (213) 418-3102
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Dawn Jackson-Perkins, Chief People Officer, (213) 418-3166
