Metra officials announced today that the Metra Police Department has received the Gold Standard Award from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for achieving the highest standard of excellence in security.
Metra Police Department earned the award for its safety program as a result of high scores on the recent Baseline Assessment for Security Enhancement (BASE). BASE is a comprehensive review of a security program that focuses on operations and infrastructure fundamental for a sound transit security program.
“I commend your organization for the commitment and hard work that this level of achievement requires, and I wish you success in maintaining the high standard of security you have demonstrated,” said John S. Pistole, administrator for the Transportation Security Administration. “We consider this caliber of performance as deserving of special attention.” The TSA is a division of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
“The safety and security of our riders has always been a top priority here at Metra,” Deputy Executive Director Alex Wiggins said. “More than 300,000 daily riders trust Metra to get them to and from their destinations in a safe and efficient manner. We take this responsibility seriously.”
With a police force of more than 100 officers, the Metra Police Department was created to protect the Metra rail system, which operates in Chicago and the Chicago metropolitan area, spanning six counties. It is comprised of full-time sworn officers whose primary function is to protect Metra passengers, Metra employees, Metra assets, enforce criminal laws, traffic laws and ordinances that directly or indirectly relate to the Metra system.