This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. heck the Metra Rail careers site, located, Moving Tickets from One Device to Another, Using Pre-Tax Transit Benefits in the App, System Map for Customers with Disabilities, Emergency Preparedness and Public Awareness, Chicago Union Station Service Disruption Plan, Create or Log in to My Metra for Business Account, Office of Diversity & Business Enterprise, Performance, Budget & Planning Information. He updated the police policies and procedures manual and made an electronic version that can be accessed by officers anywhere. Its that drop-your-head-back-and-stare-at-the-ceiling feeling that makes you wonder why this still happens in this era where subterranean express tunnels and passenger trips to space seem possible. Another source said members of the police task force were tracking a suspect in a south suburban crime case when a shoot out began. All of these factors, both anticipated and unexpected, contribute to delays experienced on board any train system, including Metra. When Metra learns of potential disruptions, such as a winter storm or a major planned event, employees across many departments prepare for any issue that may arise. Similarly, if a freight train is blocking tracks or a crossing, it is the freight companys responsibility to get its equipment back on the move. The Metra Police Department, located in Chicago, Illinois is a law enforcement agency that has been granted specific police powers in Cook County. www.masstransitmag.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. The Metra Police Department was created to protect the eleven rail lines and 242 stations in metropolitan Chicago's commuter rail system, Metra. When Metra learns of potential disruptions, such as a winter storm or a major planned event, employees across many departments prepare for any issue that may arise. All Metra Electric trains were stopped for approximately 30 minutes in both directions at 91st Street due to police activity, the agency announced on social media. Perez improved the departments responsiveness and reduced overtime by 33 percent by reorganizing patrols by area instead of by rail line and assigning manpower based on shift activity. Metra police arrested a suspect they said robbed a Metra Electric conductor at gunpoint at the Van Buren Street station in Chicago. They have been issued laptops for field reporting and are using new software to write police reports all in an effort to adopt the best police practices in the country. In partnership with federal, state and local agencies, Metra participates in various training exercises to promote awareness, to prevent incidents and enhance training for effective response. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. A Metra maintenance facility on the Far South Side was evacuated Friday as police investigated a possible bomb threat. The department has also been trying to foster even better relationships with all the municipal departments in the six-county area. The squad has ridden more than 7,000 trains this year already, twice as many as the year before. Metra Police dispatchers can respond to the customer through the app, send out advisories and broadcast "Be on the Lookout" alerts to app users. When they arrived, the owner of the home said Alvarez was an acquaintance . Apr 8. Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. All rights reserved, How Much Could You Get in New $725M Facebook Settlement? Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. They have been equipped with Tasers (which have reduced injuries to police and arrestees) and body cameras. When you are stuck on a train that is halted, it can be incredibly frustrating not knowing how long you will be there. Around 8:45 a.m., Metra's website. While every situation is different, we provided our riders with a look at what typically occurs during the most common service disruptionson this webpage. According to the agency, the . The report two years later contained a laundry list of recommendations, and Metra hired Joseph Perez as its new chief to lead their adoption. This year Metra entered into two agreements with Cook County that will allow the department to put more officers in the field and operate more effectively and efficiently. [4] It detailed myriad concerns about the agency's training, counter terrorism efforts and commitment to passenger safety. Metra's COPS smartphone app is a new way that our customers can quickly and discreetly report crimes, suspicious activity and other safety or security concerns to Metra Police from a train or station. After the incident, passengers were reportedly evacuated from the station to the Home Depot nearby. Their help is essential since they can often respond more quickly if there is a need for police on a train. After it stopped the suspect, who was a passenger on the train, pulled out a black. Check the Metra Rail careers site, located here, for any available career opportunities. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Mayor Lori Lightfoot to Texas Governor: 'Stop the inhumane, dangerous bussing of migrants to Chicago', Two people injured in fire in Wrigleyville high rise, Fenwick Friars pitcher Talia Lorenzo celebrates 400 career strikeouts, Naperville's new mayor Scott Wehrli sworn in, Naperville police responding to report of shots fired find man who was beaten up. All Metra police officers are fully certified police officers. The primary mission of the Metra Police Department shall be to safeguard the lives of Metra commuters, its employees and those who use the Metra rail system. That simple sentence, which begins the Metra Police Departments new mission statement, represents a significant transformation within the 115-person department, which is made up of fully sworn police officers, just like any municipal police department. Perez came to Metra as a decorated 28-year veteran of the Illinois State Police Department. Were confident that the improvements weve made have left our Police Department much better prepared and equipped for the challenges of modern-day policing., 2023 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, Metra Police Department serves and protects, Moving Tickets from One Device to Another, Using Pre-Tax Transit Benefits in the App, System Map for Customers with Disabilities, Emergency Preparedness and Public Awareness, Chicago Union Station Service Disruption Plan, Create or Log in to My Metra for Business Account, Office of Diversity & Business Enterprise, Performance, Budget & Planning Information. In-service training for all officers includes firearm and Taser recertification, defensive tactics, rapid deployment and use of force decision making training using an interactive simulator outfitted with laser enhanced training weapons. Weve all been there: being stuck in the middle of a service disruption can feel like the whole world is working against you. The service requires full JavaScript support in order to view this website. App users can send photos, six second video, text descriptions, and locations of suspicious people or activities. However, as in all systems with complex, moving parts, issues can arise at any time, even in the middle of a scheduled trip. This process is automatic. They have been issued laptops for field reporting and are using new software to write police reports all in an effort to adopt the best police practices in the country. North Shore Senior Center Encourages: You Don't Have to Do Life Alone. Our train riding unit is seeing less and less bad behavior on trains, less and less bad behavior on platforms, because of the visibility provided by that unit, and also our focus on passenger safety, Perez said. The train, which departed Chicago on the Milwaukee District North Line at 9:45 p.m., was originally "operating 115 minutes behind schedule due to police activity" according to a notice on the Metra website. The Metra Police Department is a professional force of more than 140 sworn officers and civilian support staff who are responsible for the security of Metra passengers, employees, equipment, yards, stations and other Metra property. In January 2014, an investigative report by the Chicago-based security consulting firm Hillard Heintze blasted the department as being "antiquated"[3] and beset with excessive overtime and staffing problems. The Metra Police Department was created at that time. Events out of our controlsuch as extreme weather, fallen trees, fires adjacent to our tracks, and police activity on or near our trackscannot be predicted, but can affect your commute. Police Public Safety March 29, 2023 Naperville Police to Increase Distracted Driving Enforcement Efforts in April Naperville Police will join other law enforcement agencies in a statewide effort to step up distracted driving enforcement this April in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month. The RTA Act states that these police departments have the authority of municipal police officers. When the RTA reorganized in 1983, Metra was created. The system is the second busiest in the United States, serving 97 stations in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Fox Lake-bound Metra Train 2155 was stopped at the station at Lake Cook Road as a result of the police activity, Metra spokeswoman Meg Thomas-Reile told Patch. Metras efforts to reform and modernize the department began in October 2012, when it hired a consultant to perform an assessment of the departments operations and capabilities and provide assistance in adopting best practices in railroad public safety. Metra later stopped all UP-W trains to allow for a police response. Metra works to provide updates regarding any service changes on a variety of channels for our customers. Metras Police Department looks to hire energetic, self-motivated individuals who are ready for the challenges this kind of work has to offer. The Northeast Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (D/B/A Metra) is now accepting applications for the position of police officer with the Metra Police Department. The Metra Police Department is a professional force of more than 140sworn officers and civilian support staffwho are responsible for the security of Metra passengers, employees, equipment, yards, stations and otherMetra property. Once you create aMy Metra account, you can sign up to receive alerts for your line and choose the window of time in which you want to receive them. Metra Police officers regularly participate in the Chicago Police CAPS program. The Northeast Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (D/B/A Metra) is now accepting applications for the position of police officer with the Metra Police Department. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. In the second, the Cook County Sheriff agreed to provide 24-hour dispatching service to Metra for 911 calls, which put trained telephone communicators on the other end of the line and allowed nine police officers to return to police duties in the field. [2] The primary function of the Metra Police Department is to protect Metra passengers, employees, assets (trains and stations), enforce criminal laws, traffic laws and ordinances that directly or indirectly relate to the Metra system. We offer the officer entrance exam on an as-needed basis. Perez and his team also created a full-time detective division (including internal investigations) and a new police squad whose primary duty is to patrol trains. Metra Police handle a variety of tasks ranging from civilian complaints to criminal activity. Authorities continue search for Texas man suspected of killing 5, Mom warns others after son severely burned from social media challenge, NW Side restaurant burglarized 4 times in 5 weeks, owners say: VIDEO. The new south region headquarters was moved to a stand-alone facility, a rehabbed 102-year-old building in Blue Island named after Thomas Cook, a Metra officer who died in the line of duty. The primary mission of the Metra Police Department shall be to safeguard the lives of Metra commuters, its employees and those who use the Metra rail system.. One Metra officer has died in the line of duty. Various witness reports have indicated as many as three people were shot. In May 2014, Joseph Perez was appointed Chief of the Metra Police Department. Starting Salary: $27.47 per hour non-certified (75%) at academy; $31.14 per hour certified (85%) on 18-month probation; $36.63 per hour off-probation patrol officer. Metra. Police said shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday a Metra Electric Line train pulled into the downtown station. He updated the police policies and procedures manual, and made an electronic version that can be accessed by officers anywhere. The process resulted in a group of new hires who come from diverse backgrounds and better match Metras customer base. Metra Police work in cooperation with local authorities to reduce or attempt to prevent hazardous conditions or blatant violations of the law which result in an unsafe condition. That simple sentence, which begins the Metra Police Department's new mission statement, represents a significant transformation within the 115-person department, which is made up of fully sworn police officers, just like any municipal police department. Applying to the Metra Police Department involves an Officer Entrance Exam, police officer wellness test (PFIT) as mandated by the State of Illinois, personal interviews, background screening, medical evaluation, and psychological screening. Metra also bought an interactive simulator almost like a giant video game to conduct scenario-based training on use of force, de-escalation and other decision-making areas. College Credits: Deerfield Resident Earns Degree From Marquette U, Baxter Site Meeting Postponed Due To Large Crowd In Deerfield, Check Thief Charged With 5 Felonies: Riverwoods PD Blotter, Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Sullivan Community Center, DNA-The "Blueprint" for Life (1st-5th graders). Though we communicate with our freight partners throughout a disruption, it is ultimately the freight companys crews who resolve the issue and determine how long it takes. Guided by his police experience and the consultant report, Perez hit the ground running. In partnership with federal, state and local agencies, Metra participates in various training exercises to promote awareness, to prevent incidents and enhance training for effective response. Metras GPS Center is our central alerts communications hub responsible for sending out emails, website updates, Twitter alerts and platform and onboard announcements to our riders. All Metra Electric trains were stopped for approximately 30 minutes in both directions at 91 st Street due to police activity, the agency announced on social media.. Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Metra service on Union Pacific-West line was briefly disrupted Thursday morning due to police activity in west suburban Oak Park. Upon graduation, the new officers must complete a rigorous Field Training Program and an eighteen-month probationary period. Around 8:45 a.m., Metra's website said trains were stopped in both directions near Oak Park Avenue because of police activity in the area. Current Illinois certified officers enter field training immediately upon hire. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Metra police arrested a suspect after a conductor was robbed at the Van Buren Street station in Chicago. Many variables can disrupt normal operations, making it very difficult to completely avoid delays of some kind. Metra police confirmed the robbery suspect was arrested in south suburban Calumet City and charges are pending. Officer Cook was 43.[6]. The unit has ridden more than 7,000 trains this year already, twice as many as the year before. Metra Police officers currently staff and operate an in-house dispatch center to monitor police activity on Metra property and communicate with local municipalities or Metra officers in the event . RTA Travel Information Center All involved in restoring service work as quickly as possible to get trains moving again safely. After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the Metra Police Department increased its effort in anti-terrorism concerns. Metra Police routinely assist local, county and state agencies in non Metra related matters. As of 5:50 p.m., CPD has given an all clear for train traffic to resume, but a pair of trains, including a 6 p.m. train out of Millennium Station, were canceled as a result of the stoppage. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. All Rights Reserved. Most frequently, though, train crews must deal with delays in the spur of the moment. Please enable JavaScript on your browser and try again. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. www.masstransitmag.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. Every day, employees in the mechanical shops, train yards,and signal, engineering,and transportation departments make sure Metra operates safely and efficiently. Most frequently, though, train crews must deal with delays in the spur of the moment. Metras efforts to reform and modernize the department began in October 2012, when it hired a consultant to perform an assessment of the departments operations and capabilities and provide assistance in adopting best practices in railroad public safety. Check the Metra Rail careers site, located here,for any available career opportunities. The Metra Police Department also deploys a Homeland Security Unit comprised of specially trained officers in Special Operations, Train Riding and K9 Explosive Detection Teams. Metra Police handle a variety of tasks ranging from civilian complaints to criminal activity. Wednesday morning, Metra police said that a suspect was arrested in Calumet City and charges are pending. "New report finds Metra police force 'antiquated', "Report calls Metra police force 'antiquated', https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Metra_Police_Department&oldid=1085155783, Transit police departments of the United States, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 28 April 2022, at 19:22. Metra Police work in cooperation with local authorities to reduce or attempt to prevent hazardous conditions or blatant violations of the law which result in an unsafe condition.
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