RTD Transit Police to start 24/7 patrols May 5

DENVER (April 22, 2024) –– The Regional Transportation District (RTD) Transit Police Department is moving to a 24/7 staffing model starting May 5. Overnight coverage will enhance the personal safety and security of RTD’s frontline employees and customers, including those who use the agency’s transit services outside of regular business hours.

“The introduction of an overnight team has been a priority for RTD-PD, and it was always contingent upon our hiring success,” said Dr. Joel Fitzgerald Sr., Chief of Police and Emergency Management. “We needed enough staff to begin to provide the high-performance service our stakeholders expect. As we continue to grow, you’ll see us even more.”

The department currently has 61 Colorado Peace Officers Standards and Training (POST)-certified officers. An additional 19 recruits are in the police academy and will graduate in May. Another 26 recruits are projected to attend the academy in July. The agency plans to grow to a minimum of 119 officers by the end of the year as part of its efforts to create a welcoming transit environment across the district’s entire service area. RTD provides bus, rail and paratransit services in a 2,342-square-mile area that spans all or part of eight counties and 40 municipalities. In 2023, RTD had approximately 65 million customer boardings.

“Being able to respond to more calls for service and process more of our own arrests makes us a force multiplier for other law enforcement agencies,” Fitzgerald said. “This means that RTD will always be a priority and our department is viewed as a better partner. All members of the RTD-PD team will do everything in our power to ensure that customers and employees are safe on the RTD system.”

The overnight team will focus on areas in need of greater safety efforts for bus and rail operators, such as when employees begin their morning shifts at Denver Union Station. As RTD-PD continues to grow, the additional officers will help the department proactively address other problems on bus and rail vehicles, as well as situations at stops and stations around the district.

“We know that problems can occur at any time, so this is another step toward meeting the goal of a creating a welcoming transit environment 24/7, 365 days a year,” Deputy Chief Glyn Horn said, adding that an overnight presence will enhance the safety of RTD’s employees who work late and overnight shifts. “We will do everything possible to ensure our employees are safe in the work environment. We are one RTD.”

In August 2022, the agency had 19 sworn officers and relied heavily on contracted security. Since that time, RTD has grown and focused its efforts and resources on building its own force. The move not only supports the personal safety, security and well-being of RTD’s employees and customers, but it also allows for evidence-based policing and the strategic deployment of officers to problematic areas.

RTD also plans to add community outreach staff, staffing six mental health clinicians and five homeless outreach coordinators by yearend to work alongside Transit Police officers. The outreach program has fostered agency relationships to increase customer access to resources in the RTD service area while helping to keep transit services running smoothly.

RTD asks its customers to also be partners in safety by reporting unwanted or illegal behavior or any suspicious activity that they may observe by calling the RTD-PD at 303-299-2911 or texting 303-434-9100. RTD uses operator and customer reports to strategically deploy resources, allowing RTD-PD to address chronic offenders and to identify high-need areas. In emergency situations, customers should always call 911 and immediately alert an operator.

Customers are also encouraged to report unsafe or suspicious activity via the Transit Watch app, which is available in English and Spanish and iOS and Android versions for download. The app allows for anonymous or discreet submissions, and there is an option to immediately call or text Transit Police Communications, which is currently staffed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.