THERE'S A NEW CHIEF AT METRO'S POLICE DEPARTMENT!

Victor Rodriguez

METRO Police formed nearly 30 years ago with the mission of keeping its transit system safe and secure for employees and customers. To help strengthen and carry out this task, METRO has appointed Houston Police Captain Victor Rodriguez to head up its police department.

The agency serves more than 10,000 bus stops, 29 Park & Ride lots, 19 Transit Centers, nearly 90 miles of HOV lanes, the Main Street Line, and in the near future, three additional light-rail lines now under construction.  President & CEO George Greanias says keeping the METRO service area - which spans more than 1200-square miles – safe, is no easy task.

Rodriguez is up for the challenge.

“My goal and desire is to make METRO’s police department the premiere transit law enforcement agency in the country,” said Rodriguez, who will be leading a department of about 220 personnel.  “I want to make it more responsive to the community. I want people to feel as safe and secure on our buses and trains as they do riding in their own cars.”

Rodriguez started his career with the Houston Police Department in 1985. He currently leads its North Division, overseeing a force of more than 300 sworn officers.  Among his accomplishments:

·         Creation of a Warrant Execution Team that focuses on repeat and violent offenders
·         Refocus of Divisional Tactical Unit operations to target crime trends and serial criminal activity
·         Greater emphasis on the Differential Response Team efforts to closely work with the community to identify and solve crime problems

He received a juris doctor degree from the University of Houston Law Center in 1996 and earned a bachelor’s degree in public management fromthe University of Houston Clear Lake. The police veteran traveled across the country in 2004 as part of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Executive Fellowship Program in which he helped with the audit of Safe Streets Task Forces. Rodriguez attended the FBI National Academy in 2000 and the Senior Management Institute for Police in 2010.

Rodriguez is expected to start his new post as chief later this month.