The Metropolitan Transit System board of directors this Thursday will consider putting in place a police force. State law allows transit agencies to employ police officers, meaning in addition to security personnel (the latter of which MTS clearly has in place). These officers must have the same training as sworn cops with any police department.
Item 31 on this week’s agenda, titled “Establish MTS Police Force for the Purpose of Appointing a Chief of Police,” sounds a little strange, however. Scroll to page 61 of the online agenda packet to see that the board will consider 1) establishing a police force, and 2) authorizing the appointment of a police chief.
The agenda doesn’t really say why a police force or chief is needed, just that MTS can have them. In fact, the material even notes there will be no change to security operations resulting from the action, and no change to the budget.
The resolution included with the packet sums it all up very nicely, however, way down at the bottom. The action is recommended “…solely for the purpose of creating a police force of one consisting of the position of MTS Chief of Police.”
A police force of one, and chief at that.
Is this Toon Town? Will the appointed person also be the town postmaster, mayor and justice of the peace? Chief, cook and bottle washer?
What’s more, does MTS have someone selected for this position, which is seemingly already included in the budget? Is a chief already in mind?
Andy or Barney, maybe?
Comments 1
My first guess was that this is some kind of response to anticipated terrorism.
My second, and more cynical guess, is that this has to do with protecting employee benefits. In other words, it’s about the money, and MTS staff is looking out for itself.
A police force of one makes little sense, but it’s not a huge raid on the treasury. Perhaps the plan is to add more MTS employees under this classification incrementally.
The U-T’s Watchdog team and Voice of San Diego might find something interesting here.
Side note: The online packet agenda PDF is an image file, which makes it impossible to do word searches. Bug or feature?