AUSTIN, Texas — CapMetro leaders said they are close to having an official police department and plan to be up and running by early 2025.
"It's overdue," Eric Robins, chief administrator of transit police, said. "It's definitely needed."
Robins said in April, CapMetro crossed a huge milestone, receiving authorization from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) to become a police agency. Now, it only has one more step before becoming an official police department.
"So, the next step is basically getting me authorized to become the first police chief for the CapMetro Police Department," Robins said. "Once that happens, we will be official to start literally recruiting, hiring and going forward."
Robins said he expects to be sworn in within the next few weeks. He said the hiring process will begin on Oct. 1, and the department plans to start with 12 officers and possibly work up to 45, depending on the need.
Robins said the department will have its own dispatchers, working in partnership with the Combined Transportation Emergency Communication system, alongside other agencies in Travis County.
Robin said the police officers will be out patrolling and available to respond to CapMetro-specific issues.
"Particularly incidents where law enforcement is needed – criminal incidents, people, whether it's, trespassing, whether it's some serious incidents," Robins said.
Robins said there will not be enough officers for every bus or every bus stop, but there are two other lines of protection: Civilian Public Safety Ambassadors and Community Intervention Specialists.
Robins said Public Safety Ambassadors are frontline, civilian employees who will be at the stops, helping people find their way and addressing small issues like de-escalation and ticket fare enforcement. Robins said Community Intervention Specialists will help people with mental health issues and drug addiction.
Data from the April Operations, Planning and Safety Committee meeting shows in January and February, CapMetro saw a total of 74 verbal security threats and 34 physical security threats – numbers Robin believes his new department will be able to take on.
"We're super excited to create and establish this police department," Robins said.
The department is expected to be up and running in early 2025.