Capital Metro Commences New Transit Police Department in Austin with Leaders Sworn In

Capital Metro marked a significant milestone in its history on Monday as it officially launched the Capital Metro Police Department, swearing in Chief Eric Robins, Assistant Chief Joseph Rose, and Captain Jeremy Benoit during a ceremony. According to CBS Austin, this move comes as part of the transit agency's broader efforts to increase safety across its network.

The formation of the department, endorsed by the CapMetro Board of Directors back in August 2021, was a response to the calls for improved safety from staff, and riders. Dottie Watkins, President and CEO of CapMetro, described the inauguration of the department as "a proud moment for not only CapMetro's history but of our entire community." As per recruitment plans cited by CBS Austin, the agency is looking to onboard its first officers by early 2025.

The decision to establish a transit-specific police department comes after nearly two decades of contemplation and planning and amid some public apprehension concerning increased law enforcement on public transit and the potential for aggressive policing tactics. In addressing these concerns, Watkins stressed the lengthy and thoughtful approach to the decision, as KUT News reported. Early controversies, such as whether to include holding cells in the new police department headquarters, were settled in favor of public sentiment.

Community engagement remains a priority for the newly established department, which has sought input on policing policies and formed an advisory committee comprised of social and criminal justice advocates. Nelson Linder, president of the Austin NAACP chapter, praised Chief Robins' approach, stating, "He's a very good listener. He's done his homework. [He] has a lot of experience," in an interview with KUT News. Robins, recruited from Sugar Land, Texas, where he formerly served as police chief, has spent the past two years laying the groundwork for the new department.

The establishment of the transit police also aims to address the perceived lack of safety that discourages potential riders from using public transportation. CapMetro's initiative is partly a response to the decreasing availability of off-duty Austin police officers for transit patrol duties, as mentioned by Austin City Council member Chito Vela during a KUT News interview. In addition, the transit bus drivers' union has been a proponent of the move, with the President of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1091, Brent Payne, emphasizing the importance of focusing operators on their driving duties rather than their safety concerns.

The growth of the Capital Metro Police Department to its full strength of around 50 officers is expected to take some time, with a plan to hire 12 officers by the year's end and to start patrolling by June 2025. This development signals a new chapter for CapMetro as it navigates the complexities of ensuring safety while balancing community concerns and the evolving landscape of public transit in Austin.