CapMetro, the Austin-area public transportation provider, is charting new territory with the near completion of its very own police department, set to be operational in early 2025. The transit system is poised to bolster safety for its ridership through the formation of this new law enforcement body. The announcement comes as a welcome response to safety concerns that have persisted among transit systems nationwide.
As reported by CBS Austin, CapMetro's Chief Safety Officer Gardner Tabon communicated the developments to the CapMetro Board of Directors, detailing the authorization from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). "Authorization from TCOLE to continue in the process is a key milestone necessary to continue our work on recruitment and hiring, operational procedures and practices, partnerships with area jurisdictions, and more," Tabon said. A spokesperson for CapMetro added that they "expect to be certified by TCOLE in the coming weeks and the first officers to be hired by early 2025."
The plans include employing a cadre of 12 officers initially, with the possibility of expansion to 45, tailored to the demand for their presence. Eric Robins, who is projected to become the inaugural chief of the new police force, relayed to KVUE, “So, the next step is basically getting me authorized to become the first police chief for the CapMetro Police Department. Once that happens, we will be official to start literally recruiting, hiring and going forward." Robins emphasized the overdue nature of the initiative and its importance for public safety.
Robins shed light on the operational aspects, stating that the department will maintain its own dispatchers, and work in concert with the Combined Transportation Emergency Communication system alongside other agencies in Travis County. With this infrastructure, the department aims to provide a specialized response to CapMetro-specific incidents, “Particularly incidents where law enforcement is needed – criminal incidents, people, whether it's, trespassing, whether it's some serious incidents," according to Robins. The comprehensive safety program will also include Civilian Public Safety Ambassadors and Community Intervention Specialists, complementing the efforts of the new police officers.
Recent data presented at an Operations, Planning, and Safety Committee meeting highlighted the urgency for CapMetro's move, with figures showing a total of 74 verbal and 34 physical security threats within just two months. The formation of a robust police force represents CapMetro's proactive stance against such security challenges. "We're super excited to create and establish this police department," Robins told KVUE, underscoring the anticipation and expected positive impact of the new establishment.
