The Metra Police Command Staff is active in creating regional partnerships throughout our service area. Officers responded to a home in the 500 West block of Bevan Drive around 4 a.m. for a welfare check following a 911 call. They have been equipped with Tasers (which have reduced injuries to police and arrestees) and next year will be fitted with body cameras. Downdetector only reports an incident when the number of problem reports is significantly higher than . We are looking for ECE qualified teachers and teachers assistants. 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. One person involved in the incident is dead, Courtney Gousman of WGN reported on Twitter Saturday morning. Metra Police handle a variety of tasks ranging from civilian complaints to criminal activity. All involved in restoring service work as quickly as possible to get trains moving again safely. He updated the police policies and procedures manual and made an electronic version that can be accessed by officers anywhere. Wednesday morning, Metra police said that a suspect was arrested in Calumet City and charges are pending. The squad has ridden more than 7,000 trains this year already, twice as many as the year before. Check back here for updates as they come in. Successful candidates hired as recruits are sent to the Police Academy. The unit has ridden more than 7,000 trains this year already, twice as many as the year before. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. In all cases, it is the goal of Metra, BNSF Railway and Union Pacific Railroad to get our riders to their destinations as true to schedule as possible. One Metra officer has died in the line of duty. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. Metra police officers are fully sworn officers just like the officers of any municipal police department, responsible for the safety and security of the Metra system in a six-county service area Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Lake counties. All Metra police officers are fully certified police officers. The police task force involved in the pursuit is handling the case. The main focus of department is the six-county transit operation, however due to the great distances between rail lines, off-property arrests occur on a regular basis. After the incident, passengers were reportedly evacuated from the station to the Home Depot nearby. Metra officials did not release any further information. 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. Does the county coroner need to investigate a scene? Sun-Times Media Wire. When they arrived, the owner of the home said Alvarez was an acquaintance . 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 . Police said the suspect originally boarded the train at the 147th Street station in Harvey. For those on Twitter, each of Metras 11 rail lines has a unique Twitter handle for line-specific service information. Palatine, IL crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates 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. They have been equipped with Tasers (which have reduced injuries to police and arrestees) and body cameras. The Metra Police Department was created at that time. He instituted regular training on criminal and traffic law, accident reconstruction, firearms and even a 12-week field training program on all things Metra, including its train operations, procedures, geography and customer service. He brought in police veterans from outside Metra and promoted some from within to create a command team with wide and diverse experience. Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. Metra trains headed into and out of Chicago were stopped and thousands of passengers delayed as police investigated reports of a suspicious man with a gun who may or may not have gotten on one. He or she can be delayed if they are concluding a prior investigation, caught up in traffic or simply traveling a long distance. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. 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. 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. For example, we cannot predict how long a mechanical failure will take to resolveif it is resolvable on sitebecause it will depend on what failed and what parts and staff are needed to repair it. 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 says the Metra COPS app "is meant for the reporting of safety and security issues on Metra trains and facilities, such as a crime in progress, disruptive or aggressive behavior . Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. Check the Metra Rail careers site, located here, for any available career opportunities. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Metra police arrested a suspect after a conductor was robbed at the Van Buren Street station in Chicago. Metra instituted an open, fair and transparent police recruitment, testing and interview process that was used for the first time to hire 23 new officers. The service requires full cookie support in order to view this website. 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. In the first agreement, Cook County agreed to adjudicate tickets issued by Metra Police. In 1974, the Illinois State Legislature created the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA). Email us at, 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. You will be redirected once the validation is complete. 2023 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, 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. A professional police force of more than 100 sworn officers, the Metra Police Department is responsible Metra Police officers regularly participate in the Chicago Police CAPS program. Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. About this app. Though trains are operated safely, the consequence of these deferments is less reliable service and less comfortable rides. He updated the police policies and procedures manual and made an electronic version that can be accessed by officers anywhere. Successful candidates hired as recruits are sent to the Police Academy. Metra later stopped all UP-W trains to allow for a police response. This act empowers all the sub units of the RTA to establish and maintain police forces. Metra police confirmed the robbery suspect was arrested in south suburban Calumet City and charges are pending. According to the agency, the Chicago Police Department requested trains be stopped around 91st Street due to police activity, but did not elaborate on the scale or subject of the investigation. The Metra Police Department is responsible for the safety and security of the second largest commuter railroad system in the . Metra Police handle a variety of tasks ranging from civilian complaints to criminal activity. Current Illinois certified officers enter field training immediately upon hire. Weve made significant, impressive progress in the last two years, said Metra Executive Director/CEO Don Orseno. However, the exact length of most delays will be unknown. In 2008, the department began using a computer-aided dispatch system and new electronic report writing system. The report two years later contained a laundry list of recommendations, and Metra hired Joseph Perez as its new chief to lead their adoption. CHICAGO - CTA Green Line and Metra UP-W trains have been disrupted Wednesday due to police activity at Harlem. Metro Area: Chicago - Live Audio Feeds To listen to a feed using the online player, choose "Web Player" as the player selection and click the play icon for the appropriate feed. He was slain in his patrol car by a suspect with a firearm. For the first time ever, the department has a clearly defined mission and it has been making numerous changes and adopting a variety of reforms in the furtherance of that mission. According to the report, the department averages less than one arrest per day. 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. The offender was sentenced to life in prison on March 31, 2016, for Officer Cook's murder. 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. In May 2014, Joseph Perez was appointed Chief of the Metra Police Department. In some situations, well try to provide riders with a certain range of delay times. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. (You can read more about thathere). Interested in joining the Metra Police Department? 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. Guided by his police experience and the consultant report, Perez brought in police veterans from outside Metra and promoted some from within to create a command team with wide and diverse experience. One person involved in the incident . The jurisdiction of the Metra Police extends well past the property owned or leased by Metra. For other public safety concerns, contact Metra Safety at (312) 322.7233 or email safetyreporting@metrarr.com. We often receive questions about service disruptions as they are happening and as follow-ups the next day. Starting Salary: $44,936. Metra Alert UP-W - Train #61 departing Ogilvie Transportation Center at 6:20 PM - on the move 45 to 50 minutes delayed due to earlier police activity. 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. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. Because of the six counties of police operation, tickets and criminal complaints are booked into many different courts. The 114-page report sketched an alarming portrait of law enforcement standards on the Metra system. On September 27, 2006, Metra Officer Thomas A. Cook was killed in the line of duty[6] while working a robbery prevention detail near the 147th Street (Sibley Boulevard) station in Harvey, Illinois. All of these factors, both anticipated and unexpected, contribute to delays experienced on board any train system, including Metra. We understand why: service disruptions add extra stress to an already long work day, interrupt scheduled plans and precious time with family members and they are especially frustrating when our riders dont know what is going on. www.masstransitmag.com is using a security service for protection against online attacks. 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. 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. This chart shows a view of problem reports submitted in the past 24 hours compared to the typical volume of reports by time of day. 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. Around 8:45 a.m., Metra's website. The department has also been trying to foster even better relationships with all the municipal departments in the six-county area. As a general rule, court cases are assigned in the nearest court, in the county of arrest. 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. To listen using other methods such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, or Winamp, choose your player selection and click the play icon to start listening. Recruits are sent to the State Police Academy in Springfield. For urgent Safety or security concerns, contact the Metra Police Department at (312) 322.2800 or via the Metra Cops mobile phone app. The station offers a community room available for public use to non-profit organizations. 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. 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. Most frequently, though, train crews must deal with delays in the spur of the moment. Sworn Police Officers: 110. The system is the second busiest in the United States, serving 97 stations in Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. Metra Alert ME - Train #826, scheduled to arrive Millennium Station at 6:49 PM, is on the move and may be 45 to 50 minutes behind schedule - earlier police activity and track construction. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. A full-time detective division (including internal investigations) and a new train riding unit were created, whose primary duty is to patrol trains. When the RTA reorganized in 1983, Metra was created. Metra police have learned during their investigation that the man got on the train at the 147th Street station in Harvey. However, as in all systems with complex, moving parts, issues can arise at any time, even in the middle of a scheduled trip. "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. Delays are likely due to that stoppage, the agency said. Their help is essential since they can often respond more quickly if there is a need for police on a train. Guided by his police experience and the consultant report, Perez brought in police veterans from outside Metra and promoted some from within to create a command team with wide and diverse experience. CBS 2 Investigators Community Journalism 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. 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). 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. Regular training on criminal and traffic law, accident reconstruction, firearms and even a 12-week field training program on all things Metra, including its train operations, procedures, geography and customer service were instituted. . This process is automatic. 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. 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. Guided by his police experience and the consultant report, Perez hit the ground running. He had most recently served as the commander of the State Police Region 1, where he oversaw complex law enforcement activities and nearly 800 sworn officers and civilians in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry and DeKalb counties. The report two years later contained a laundry list of recommendations, and Metra hired Joseph Perez as its new chief to lead their adoption. [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. Upon graduation, the new officers must complete a rigorous Field Training Program and an eighteen-month probationary period. Trains on Metra's North Central line were delayed for over an hour in both directions Monday morning due to the police. Safety is an important part of this function, and preventing accidents and injuries are a focus of the department. 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. Metras Police Department looks to hire energetic, self-motivated individuals who are ready for the challenges this kind of work has to offer. The Metra Police Command Staff is active in creating regional partnerships throughout our service area. who are responsible for the security of Metra passengers, employees, equipment, yards, stations and otherMetra property. 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.

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