HomeMy WebLinkAbout1996-09-24 - AGENDA REPORTS - TRANSIT POLICE MERGER (2)AGENDA REPORT
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Item to be presented by:
NEW BUSINESS
DATE: September 24, 1996
SUBJECT: TRANSIT POLICE MERGER
DEPARTMENT: Community Development
The Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) currently operates
its own transit police. This current independent transit police structure operates at a relatively
very high cost and results in service inefficiencies and shortfalls. As a result, the LACMTA has
approached the City of Los Angeles Police Department and the County of Los Angeles Sheriff
Department to provide transit police services under a contract with the LACMTA.
Larry Zarian, LACMTA Board Chairman, and Joe Drew, Executive Director, reported to the
North County Transportation Coalition (NCTC) on Tuesday, September 17, 1996 that they have
not yet been able to complete their negotiations with the City and County of Los Angeles. They
further reported that they need the support of cities served by the LACMTA to argue for this
merger of the transit police with the City Police Department and the County Sheriff
Departments. The NCTC unanimously passed a motion on September 17, 1996 to support the
LACMTNs position on transit police services and to ask each participating city to place this item
on the next available City Council agenda for consideration.
The following is a list of advantages and disadvantages to the transit police merger as prepared
by the LACMTA staff:
Advantages of Merger:
1. Enhances the safety of the MTA's transit riding customers
2. Provides increased transit law enforcement capabilities for the MTA's
transit system
3. Increases the number of officers deployed in the field at a lower unit cost
4. Provides improved officer safety
;�I Pi�,�Agenda Item:
5. Provides current MTA Police Officers with industry standard benefits and
protections
6. Enables the MTA to focus on its primary role of directing the
implementation of a multimodal transportation system
7. Maximizes the flexibility of providing policing services to transit operators
county -wide
Disadvantages of Merger:
1. Diminishes MTA control of the law enforcement and security function
2. Diminishes MTA ability to control future cost
3. Diminishes MTA control over law enforcement personnel policy
RECOMMENDATION
Discuss and direct staff to forward the attached letter on behalf of the City Council to the
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Mayor Riordan of the City of Los Angeles, and
Supervisor Antonovich supporting the LACMTA's position to merge the current transit police
with the City of Los Angeles Police Department and the County of Los Angeles Sheriff
Department..
ATTACHMENTS
Draft letter to Supervisor Antonovich
Draft letter to Mayor Riordan
KP:JL:lep
council\tra t.rpt