Transit Police to introduce overnight team May 5

Starting in early May, RTD’s Transit Police Department plans to introduce a change long desired by staff: the addition of an overnight team of RTD-PD officers to respond to calls across the agency’s system.

Just as it is aiding daytime customers who expect a certain quality of service, RTD needs to make sure it is providing that same level of safety and response around the clock, Deputy Chief Glyn Horn said.

“A lot of things transpire overnight,” he noted. “We want to create a safe and welcoming transit environment for customers and employees 24/7, 365 days a year, not just during business hours or when we believe the system is utilized by most.”

Assistance with call response in early morning hours is now provided by Allied Security, police officers on secondary contracts with RTD or other police agencies as they are able. With RTD-PD continuing to grow, its command staff wants to deploy the agency’s own officers – but being able to do so hinges on having enough people in the department.

With 55 sworn officers now on staff and another 21 attending police academies, Horn said, it will be feasible to add an overnight team on May 5, pending successful completion of field training. The team will start with a few officers and add members over time, just as the department plans to do across all policing sectors and shifts.

The department “has heard the complaints of operators regarding coverage,” Horn said. “At 1:30 or 2 a.m. right now, we are hoping that Denver or other agencies are not busy, and those agencies prioritize RTD's needs. The difference is that by having RTD-PD staff respond, we will always be that priority for both our employees and customers.”

Certain times and locations, such as pullouts at Union Station in the morning, can be problematic for operators, Horn observed. “Going forward,” he said, “we can be intentional with staffing and ensure that we have someone present at that location to make that environment a lot smoother and better for operators.”

Horn acknowledged a perception among some operators that the agency is not concerned about their safety. Conversations with staff in operations have been enlightening, he said, and helped bring about this and other changes benefiting employees.

RTD-PD, Horn said, "is always willing to go the extra mile to show employees they are truly important to us. We will do everything possible to ensure employees are safe in the work environment. We are one RTD."