Meeting_Body
OPERATIONS, SAFETY, AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE COMMITTEE
JUNE 18, 2025
Subject
SUBJECT: OFFICE OF THE INSPECTOR GENERAL (OIG) REPORT METRO TRANSIT SECURITY PERFORMANCE AUDIT FOR FISCAL YEARS 2023 AND 2024 (REPORT NO. 25-AUD-06)
Action
ACTION: RECEIVE AND FILE
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
RECEIVE AND FILE Office of the Inspector General (OIG) Report on Audit of Metro Transit Security Services Performance for the Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024.
Issue
ISSUE
On February 23, 2017, the Metro Board passed a motion directing the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) to conduct an annual audit of each law enforcement services contract to determine how key performance indicators measure up against actual performance metrics. The audit is to ensure that Metro is receiving the services it is paying for.
Background
BACKGROUND
Metro is the region’s principal agency for multi-modal transit operations. Metro operates transit service from eleven (11) geographically distinct bus divisions, four light rail lines, and two subway lines. In addition, critical rail infrastructure includes Union Station, 7th Street/Metro Center, and Willowbrook/Rosa Parks Station. Critical bus infrastructure includes the Harbor/Gateway Station and El Monte Transit Center.
In 2017, Metro awarded three separate 5-year firm fixed unit rate contracts to the LAPD, the LASD, and the LBPD (“Contractors”) for transit law enforcement services to support day-to-day operations across Metro’s entire service area.
In addition to contract transit law enforcement services, Metro’s SSLE Department employs Contract Security, Metro Transit Security Officers (MTS), Metro Ambassadors, and Homeless Outreach staff who all assist in providing safety and security for the Metro system.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Findings
The audit for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 covered the following areas:
A. Visibility of Law Enforcement Security Personnel
B. Supplemental Law Enforcement Services such as Enhanced Deployments and Special Events
C. Billings, Payments, and Use of Budgeted Funds for each Law Enforcement Contract
D. Proactive Crime Policing Efforts and Adherence to the Principles of Campaign Zero’s “Eight Can’t Wait”/Use of Force
E. Metro System Security and Law Enforcement (SSLE) Department Non-Law Enforcement Personnel and Activities and
F. Follow-Up on Prior Audit Recommendations
Considerations
OVERALL AUDIT CONCLUSIONS
While there have been improvements in compliance and oversight over time, this report notes several continuing issues of concern relating to reporting and contract oversight and Contractor billings.
Below is a summary of the more significant findings.
• SSLE has not established baselines for the KPIs set forth in the Agreements to define acceptable levels of visibility on the system by the law enforcement agencies. However, during the audit period, SSLE established a practice of conducting weekly meetings to review and collaboratively adjust deployment strategies for each of the agencies. These weekly meetings have allowed Metro to more effectively impact deployments to promote visibility on the system. Visibility data should still be collected and evaluated, but deployment strategies should be developed based on existing trends as well as overall visibility goals.
• SSLE cannot objectively validate the visibility of law enforcement deputies on the system. While LASD has developed a GPS system to report their deputies’ locations and activities, SSLE lacks the ability to independently verify the accuracy of the reported information.
• Based on our FY23 testing of 3 monthly invoices each for LASD, LAPD, and LBPD, we found instances of billings non-compliance with the respective law enforcement contract agreements.
Details of these significant findings and other report findings are included in the detailed results section of this report.
RECOMMENDATIONS
The Office of the Inspector General is providing 24 recommendations to improve/strengthen the controls on transit security, which are summarized in the report Appendix. The recommendations will enhance performance efficiency and effectiveness of Metro’s System Security and Law Enforcement Services.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
It is the opinion of the OIG that there is no direct equity impact by production of this audit alone. However, failure to act on our recommendations could lead to providing less equitable service or not promoting equity in our operations to the best and highest level reasonably possible.
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 (describe role of item in Metro’s operations). 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 recommendations in this report support the following Strategic Plan Goals:
Goal 2.1: Metro is committed to improving security.
Goal 5.2: Metro will exercise good public policy judgment and sound fiscal stewardship.
Goal 5.6: Metro will foster and maintain a strong safety culture.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Metro management should:
• Complete the Schedule for Tracking Metro’s Proposed Actions in Response to the recommendations in the report as determinations are made on implementing the recommendations; and
• Periodically report to the Metro Board on the status of actions taken to implement the recommendations.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A: Final Report on Audit of Metro Transit Security Services Performance for Fiscal Years 2023 and 2024 (Report No. 25-AUD-06)
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Anthony Alvarez, Senior Auditor, (213) 244-7331
Yvonne Zheng, Senior Manager, Audit, (213) 244-7301
George Maycott, Senior Director, Special Projects (213) 244-7310
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Karen Gorman, Inspector General, (213) 922-2975