Metro to develop plan for in-house safety department

LOS ANGELES - Metro's Board of Directors Thursday approved a motion calling for development of an implementation plan for an in-house public safety department, with the goal of presenting the plan to the transit agency board in January 2024.

The motion instructs the CEO to prepare a comprehensive implementation plan for Board consideration. The plan will reflect the agency's commitment to "building a new culture, public safety, centered on a robust multi-layered approach," Chair Ara Najarian said.

Prior to the vote, Gina Osborn, chief safety officer, provided a presentation on the feasibility of establishing an in-house public safety department within the transit agency.

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With regard to strengths, Osborn said an in-house public safety department would result in engaged visibility; cultural alignment with Metro's values; increased transparency and response time to crimes or other crises; dedicated staffing and improved fiscal sustainability.

"Prior industry studies and assessments reflect that the cost of an in-house transit police department in the U.S. is typically 20% to 40% less than contract police services," Osborn said.

The feasibility study indicated that the estimated budget for a safety department would be $135.4 million, 21.7% less than the $172.9 million that Metro currently has budgeted for policing contracts in the 2023-24 fiscal year.

"This approach will not only create a stronger and more efficient safety framework but also allow Metro to reallocate resources in a proactive and cost-effective manner that aligns with the agency's safety priorities," Osborn added.

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Weaknesses in an in-house safety department include liability, staffing shortages in law enforcement personnel, as well as training specialized units like SWAT, she added.

Osborn emphasized that the motion to develop an implementation plan for an in-house public safety department would outline an operating framework, create a strategic plan for the department's goals and objectives, establish an organizational structure and more.

BOD members approved the motion in an-almost unanimous vote — as Director and L.A. County Supervisor Janice Hahn abstained from the vote.

Hahn was critical of the motion, saying it was a "big shift" from talking about the "perception" of having public safety issues to implementing an in-house public safety department.

She noted that the agency's law enforcement partners — Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Los Angeles Police Department and the Long Beach Police Department — would "probably be blindsided by this move."

"I just wanted us to get there in a way that made me more comfortable about making this decision that I am pretty sure the will of this board is going to go ahead and implement this strategy," Hahn said.

Director Karen Bass, mayor of Los Angeles, noted that Hahn was right in that in regards to law enforcement being unaware of the motion. Bass stated she would be meeting with LAPD Chief Michel Moore to discuss the implications of the motion.

"I know that with LAPD officers, Metro was an opportunity for overtime," Bass said. "It's going to be important to look at that and figure out how that is dealt with."

Bass, who supported the motion, said she "never understood" how the agency contracted three different agencies and "three different ways of policing."

"So, it's a real opportunity to take a very, very bold step," Bass said. "But I agree with you Supervisor Hahn, we have to have community input. We have to talk about exactly how we go about this."

Metro's decision to move forward in developing an implementation plan for an in-house public safety department stems from financial concerns and challenges identified in a 2022 audit report from the Office of the Inspector General.

According to Metro, over a six-year period starting in 2017, law enforcement contracts cost the agency approximately $911.9 million. In addition, the audit report found that 54% of LAPD calls for service involving Metro were left unanswered by neighborhood patrol units, and not the LAPD officers assigned to Metro at the time of the call.

While the agency identified those challenges regarding deployment, Metro's directors voted in March to continue negotiations and extend contracts with the three law enforcement agencies. Staff noted that Metro made revisions to the statements of work to include a provision in which police agencies would fall in compliance with Metro's bias-free policing policy and public safety analytics.

Metro staff during Thursday's discussion said two of the three law enforcement agencies agreed to the revisions.

Lindsey Horvath, director and L.A. County supervisor, emphasized this motion only authorizes staff to develop a plan that will come back to the Board for approval.

"I know that through this process, we'll be looking at national and international best practices, and what resources are required in terms of personnel, in terms of dollars and cents, and in terms of training and expertise," Horvath said.