New Metro Public Safety Department Will Replace LBPD: Metro

LONG BEACH, CA — Long Beach police will be phased off of Los Angeles County Metro trains in the coming years and replaced by the newly established Metro Transit Community Public Safety Department (TCPSD), the Metro Board announced.

The objective of the TCPSD is to increase visibility, accountability and consistent service delivery in order to make the transit system safer for employees and riders.

"The Board appreciates its partnerships with LASD, LAPD, and LBPD throughout the years and
deeply values the officers who have worked diligently to address the critical safety needs of Metro riders and employees," said Metro Board Member and Glendale City Councilmember Ara J. Najarian. "For that reason, this was a difficult decision but ultimately the right one to ensure a safer, more resilient transit system for Los Angeles County."

The TCPSD will maintain the current number of 386 officers deployed daily as well as add 141 more ambassadors, five homeless outreach officers and 81 crisis intervention officers. The new department is expected to cost $192,566,505 per year, which is a decrease from the multi-agency contract of $194,051,691.

Over the next five years, the transition will take place in three phases with cooperation from current contract law enforcement agencies like LBPD.

"We are addressing complex public safety issues that require a bold, new approach," said Metro CEO Stephanie Wiggins. "The Metro TCPSD will go far beyond providing law enforcement to address crime. We will introduce a fresh, new public safety model that puts people at the center and addresses quality of life issues that have become so prevalent in cities and transit systems across the country."

Now, Metro is working to create a dedicated Transition Team of subject matter experts who will help orchestrate the seamless shift. Additionally, a Chief of Police will be hired from a pool of existing customers and employees, Metro said.