John Malone Land Maine, Articles M

They have been issued laptops for field reporting and are using new software to write police reports all in an effort to adopt the best police practices in the country. Current Illinois certified officers enter field training immediately upon hire. In the first agreement, Cook County agreed to adjudicate tickets issued by Metra Police. After it stopped the suspect, who was a passenger on the train, pulled out a black semi-automatic handgun and announced a robbery, according to police. The report two years later contained a laundry list of recommendations, and Metra hired Joseph Perez as its new chief to lead their adoption. Guided by his police experience and the consultant report, Perez brought in police veterans from outside Metra and promoted some from within to create a command team with wide and diverse experience. After the incident, passengers were reportedly evacuated from the station to the Home Depot nearby. [4] It detailed myriad concerns about the agency's training, counter terrorism efforts and commitment to passenger safety. Our train riding unit is seeing less and less bad behavior on trains, less and less bad behavior on platforms, because of the visibility provided by that unit, and also our focus on passenger safety, Perez said. Gousman reported that trains in both directions were moving again early on Saturday. The main focus of department is the six-county transit operation, however due to the great distances between rail lines, off-property arrests occur on a regular basis. Metra Police routinely assist local, county and state agencies in non Metra related matters. A full-time detective division (including internal investigations) and a new train riding unit were created, whose primary duty is to patrol trains. The primary function of the Police Department is deterring crime, stopping crimes in progress, investigating crimes, and serving as first responders for emergencies and situations that threaten . Metra Police regularly participate in Chicago Office of Emergency Communications (OEMC) planning meetings for large events. A full-time detective division (including internal investigations) and a new train riding unit were created, whose primary duty is to patrol trains. The 114-page report sketched an alarming portrait of law enforcement standards on the Metra system. He was seen Thursday afternoon with a silver rifle around 2: . The unit has ridden more than 7,000 trains this year already, twice as many as the year before. The Metra Police Department was created to protect the eleven rail lines and 242 stations in metropolitan Chicago's commuter rail system, Metra. Metra police have learned during their investigation that the man got on the train at the 147th Street station in Harvey. The department has also been trying to foster even better relationships with all the municipal departments in the six-county area. Metra works to provide updates regarding any service changes on a variety of channels for our customers. Similarly, if a freight train is blocking tracks or a crossing, it is the freight companys responsibility to get its equipment back on the move. They have been equipped with Tasers (which have reduced injuries to police and arrestees) and next year will be fitted with body cameras. The Metra . [5] Perez was selected from a field of 12 candidates after 68 applied for the job. Applying to the Metra Police Department involves an Officer Entrance Exam, police officer wellness test (PFIT) as mandated by the State of Illinois, personal interviews, background screening, medical evaluation, and psychological screening. Anyone with information is asked to call Metra police at (312) 322-2999. The Metra Police Department also deploys a Homeland Security Unit comprised of specially trained officers in Special Operations, Train Riding and K9 Explosive Detection Teams. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Mayor Lori Lightfoot to Texas Governor: 'Stop the inhumane, dangerous bussing of migrants to Chicago', Two people injured in fire in Wrigleyville high rise, Fenwick Friars pitcher Talia Lorenzo celebrates 400 career strikeouts, Naperville's new mayor Scott Wehrli sworn in, Naperville police responding to report of shots fired find man who was beaten up. Sun-Times Media Wire. Fox Lake-bound Metra Train 2155 was stopped at the station at Lake Cook Road as a result of the police activity, Metra spokeswoman Meg Thomas-Reile told Patch. All Rights Reserved. OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Metra service on Union Pacific-West line was briefly disrupted Thursday morning due to police activity in west suburban Oak Park. Perez improved the departments responsiveness and reduced overtime by 33 percent by reorganizing patrols by area instead of by rail line and assigning manpower based on shift activity. Though trains are operated safely, the consequence of these deferments is less reliable service and less comfortable rides. Trains on Metra's North Central line were delayed for over an hour in both directions Monday morning due to the police. Starting Salary: $44,936. We offer the officer entrance exam on an as-needed basis. We often receive questions about service disruptions as they are happening and as follow-ups the next day. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. The new south region headquarters was moved to a stand-alone facility, a rehabbed 102-year-old building in Blue Island named after Thomas Cook, a Metra officer who died in the line of duty. At 2:07 p.m. as an inbound Metra Electric train pulled into the Van Buren. Aquascape's Annual Fish and Plants Spring Sale! We understand why: service disruptions add extra stress to an already long work day, interrupt scheduled plans and precious time with family members and they are especially frustrating when our riders dont know what is going on. Upon graduation, the new officers must complete a rigorous Field Training Program and an eighteen-month probationary period. When the RTA reorganized in 1983, Metra was created. Safety is an important part of this function, and preventing accidents and injuries are a focus of the department. CHICAGO Metra has introduced a smartphone app to allow customers to quickly report crimes, suspicious activity, and other safety or security concerns. This act empowers all the sub units of the RTA to establish and maintain police forces. Check the Metra Rail careers site, located here,for any available career opportunities. Successful candidates hired as recruits are sent to the Police Academy. Successful candidates hired as recruits are sent to the Police Academy. All Rights Reserved. This process is automatic. One Metra officer has died in the line of duty. Metra police officers are fully sworn officers just like the officers of any municipal police department, responsible for the safety and security of the Metra system in a six-county service area Cook, Will, DuPage, Kane, McHenry and Lake counties. The offender was sentenced to life in prison on March 31, 2016, for Officer Cook's murder. Trains were moving again by around 9:15 a.m. with 15-30 minute delays. In the second, the Cook County Sheriff agreed to provide 24-hour dispatching service to Metra for 911 calls, which put trained telephone communicators on the other end of the line and allowed nine police officers to return to police duties in the field. To listen using other methods such as Windows Media Player, iTunes, or Winamp, choose your player selection and click the play icon to start listening. Metra later stopped all UP-W trains to allow for a police response. Once you create aMy Metra account, you can sign up to receive alerts for your line and choose the window of time in which you want to receive them. One person involved in the incident is dead, Courtney Gousman of WGN reported on Twitter Saturday morning. Metra Police handle a variety of tasks ranging from civilian complaints to criminal activity. All of these factors, both anticipated and unexpected, contribute to delays experienced on board any train system, including Metra. Most frequently, though, train crews must deal with delays in the spur of the moment. The report two years later contained a laundry list of recommendations, and Metra hired Joseph Perez as its new chief to lead their adoption. This chart shows a view of problem reports submitted in the past 24 hours compared to the typical volume of reports by time of day. From the home screen, users have two easy options for contacting the . As a result, it has become a much more professionally run, modern, efficient and effective police force. Delay times are also unknown for any incidents involving injury, damage to rails or trains, or events requiring on-site employees to resolve, such as clogged switches. In partnership with federal, state and local agencies, Metra participates in various training exercises to promote awareness, to prevent incidents and enhance training for effective response. CHICAGO - CTA Green Line and Metra UP-W trains have been disrupted Wednesday due to "police activity" at Harlem. Does the county coroner need to investigate a scene? This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Metra Rail System is an approximately 500-mile system which moves more than 90 million Chicagoland passengers annually thru 242 stations and 11 lines and operates as part of the single most important railroad hub in North America. A Metra maintenance facility on the Far South Side was evacuated Friday as police investigated a possible bomb threat. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Our train riding unit is seeing less and less bad behavior on trains, less and less bad behavior on platforms, because of the visibility provided by that unit, and also our focus on passenger safety, Perez said. They have been equipped with Tasers (which have reduced injuries to police and arrestees) and body cameras. He or she can be delayed if they are concluding a prior investigation, caught up in traffic or simply traveling a long distance. Metras Police Department looks to hire energetic, self-motivated individuals who are ready for the challenges this kind of work has to offer. Guided by his police experience and the consultant report, Perez brought in police veterans from outside Metra and promoted some from within to create a command team with wide and diverse experience. According to the agency, the . Around 8:45 a.m., Metra's website. College Credits: Deerfield Resident Earns Degree From Marquette U, Baxter Site Meeting Postponed Due To Large Crowd In Deerfield, Check Thief Charged With 5 Felonies: Riverwoods PD Blotter, Taxes in Retirement Seminar at Sullivan Community Center, DNA-The "Blueprint" for Life (1st-5th graders). Many times enforcing traffic laws around Metra stations and crossings is intended to increase awareness and citizen compliance. 2023 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, Interested in joining the Metra Police Department? All Metra Electric trains were stopped for approximately 30 minutes in both directions at 91st Street due to police activity, the agency announced on social media. Police Public Safety March 29, 2023 Naperville Police to Increase Distracted Driving Enforcement Efforts in April Naperville Police will join other law enforcement agencies in a statewide effort to step up distracted driving enforcement this April in recognition of Distracted Driving Awareness Month. Guided by his police experience and the consultant report, Perez hit the ground running. In-service training for all officers includes firearm and Taser recertification, defensive tactics, rapid deployment and use of force decision making training using an interactive simulator outfitted with laser enhanced training weapons. The unit has ridden more than 7,000 trains this year already, twice as many as the year before. Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. Fox Lake-bound Metra Train 2155 was stopped at the station at Lake Cook Road as a result of the police activity, Metra spokeswoman Meg Thomas-Reile told Patch. [2] The primary function of the Metra Police Department is to protect Metra passengers, employees, assets (trains and stations), enforce criminal laws, traffic laws and ordinances that directly or indirectly relate to the Metra system. Around 8:45 a.m., Metra's website said trains were stopped in both directions near Oak Park Avenue because of police activity in the area. In partnership with federal, state and local agencies, Metra participates in various training exercises to promote awareness, to prevent incidents and enhance training for effective response. A professional police force of more than 100 sworn officers, the Metra Police Department is responsible Metra Police routinely assist local, county and state agencies in non Metra related matters. OAK PARK, Ill. (WLS) -- Metra service on Union Pacific-West line was briefly disrupted Thursday morning due to police activity in west suburban Oak Park. Metra instituted an open, fair and transparent police recruitment, testing and interview process that was used for the first time to hire 23 new officers. Another source said members of the police task force were tracking a suspect in a south suburban crime case when a shoot out began. Metra Police dispatchers can respond to the customer through the app, send out advisories and broadcast "Be on the Lookout" alerts to app users. Applying to the Metra Police Department involves an Officer Entrance Exam, police officer wellness test (PFIT) as mandated by the State of Illinois, personal interviews, background screening, medical evaluation, and psychological screening. Palatine, IL crime, fire and public safety news and events, police & fire department updates Metra outages reported in the last 24 hours. The Metra Police Department actively liaisons with the city and state fusion centers, local, state, and federal law enforcement, and has officers embedded in the Chicago FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. The Metra Police Department, located in Chicago, Illinois is a law enforcement agency that has been granted specific police powers in Cook County. They have been equipped with Tasers (which have reduced injuries to police and arrestees) and body cameras. We are looking for ECE qualified teachers and teachers assistants. An employee reported a "suspicious package" at the Kensington Yard District facility, at 12231 S Indiana Ave., Metra officials said. The Northeast Regional Commuter Railroad Corporation (D/B/A Metra) is now accepting applications for the position of police officer with the Metra Police Department. Shuttle buses have been dispatched to make up for the disruption, the CTA said. who are responsible for the security of Metra passengers, employees, equipment, yards, stations and otherMetra property. Officers have been assigned to the Chicago Police Fusion Center (CPIC), and the Illinois State Police Statewide Terrorism Information Center (STIC). Perez and his team also created a full-time detective division (including internal investigations) and a new police squad whose primary duty is to patrol trains. Officers now wear new uniforms and drive new police cars with a different paint scheme that reflects a reformed force. The Metra Police Command Staff is active in creating regional partnerships throughout our service area. We offer the officer entrance exam on an as-needed basis. Weve all been there: being stuck in the middle of a service disruption can feel like the whole world is working against you. Metra Police work in cooperation with local authorities to reduce or attempt to prevent hazardous conditions or blatant violations of the law which result in an unsafe condition. All Metra Electric trains were stopped for approximately 30 minutes in both directions at 91 st Street due to police activity, the agency announced on social media.. For example, if a truck strikes a railroad bridge or a vehicle was stuck on the tracks, a track inspector is required to report to the scene and make sure the rails are safe to operate over. The Metrorail system has six color-coded rail lines: Red, Orange, Silver, Blue, Yellow . It is common for some problems to be reported throughout the day. 2023 Commuter Rail Division of the Regional Transportation Authority, Metra Police Department serves and protects, The Metra Police Department is a professional force of more than 140, sworn officers and civilian support staff. Most frequently, though, train crews must deal with delays in the spur of the moment. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago police said they are seeking to identify a suspect who was seen carrying a gun near a downtown Metra station. All Metra police officers are fully certified police officers. The CTA first announced that Green Line trains were . Upon graduation, the new officers must complete a rigorous Field Training Program and an eighteen-month probationary period. Wednesday morning, Metra police said that a suspect was arrested in Calumet City and charges are pending. All rights reserved, How Much Could You Get in New $725M Facebook Settlement? The free app is available for Apple users in the App Store or Android users in Google Play. All involved in restoring service work as quickly as possible to get trains moving again safely. Officers responded to a home in the 500 West block of Bevan Drive around 4 a.m. for a welfare check following a 911 call. Even the Metra police patch was redesigned: it now has six stars to represent the six counties Metra serves. The suspect stole the conductor's cash and fled on foot into the station. The Loudoun County Sheriff's Office holds quarterly public safety . CBS 2 Investigators Community Journalism