METRO Police Department (MPD)

Non-emergency: Call or text 713-224-COPS (2677)
Emergency: Call 911

Your safety is our No. 1 priority. MPD officers are licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. Every day, they patrol area streets, roadways and METRO facilities. Fare inspectors along METRORail and METRORapid lines act as an extra set of eyes and ears, making sure you feel safe. They also provide customer service by helping with fare-related issues, trip planning questions and more. 

 
METRO police officer viewing an onboard security monitor.

Crime Statistics

“Major crime” may not mean physical injury. For instance, robbery or “theft from persons” (like having a smartphone swiped) is considered a major crime. Based on data below, over its past five fiscal years, METRO averaged approximately one major crime for every 133,155 rides total across the services listed below.

Time PeriodRidership*Major CrimesMajor Crime Rate
Oct. 2023-Sept. 202473 million1,2791 per 57,067 rides
Oct. 2022-Sept. 202367 million4601 per 144,487 rides
Oct. 2021-Sept. 202255 million6071 per 90,610 rides
Oct. 2020-Sept. 202143 million3741 per 114,973 rides
Oct. 2019-Sept. 202062 million4781 per 129,707 rides


* Includes local bus, Park & Ride bus, METRORail, METRORapid (as of August, 2020) and METRO curb2curb.

Safety is Everyone’s Responsibility

We all must play an active role when it comes to safety. Vigilance is the key to protecting your personal safety when using METRO. Knowing what to look for and how to handle the situation could help eliminate a potential threat before it occurs.

Use of Force


METRO police officer checking METRORapid vehicle

Policy Guidelines

MPD requires that officers exhaust all alternatives prior to use of force. Chokeholds and all neck restraints are banned. And all incidents require reporting, body camera review and supervisory review. From 2015-2020, MPD received a total of just seven Use of Force complaints.

Make a Difference


METRO police officer speaking with customers on a rail platform in downtown Houston

Now Hiring

MPD is committed to the highest degree of professionalism, honesty and dedication in helping to make our community a better and safer place to live. METRO Police Officers are strategic, proactive and responsive. They have a passion for helping others and stay connected to the community at events, civic club meetings and charitable functions. If you interact well with people of all backgrounds and see yourself in a role like this, a career with MPD may be for you.

Important Phone Numbers


Crime Stoppers: 713-222-8477

Crisis Hotline: 713-468-5463

Emergency: 911

Harris County Constable, Precinct: 713-755-5200

Harris County Sheriff’s Department: 713-221-6000

Houston Police (non-emergency): 713-884-3131

Houston Service HelpLine: 311

Mayor's Anti-Gang Office (Houston): 832-393-0931

METRO Customer Service: 713-635-4000

METRO Motorist Assistance Program: 713-CALL-MAP (225-5627)

METRO Police (non-emergency): Call or text 713-224-COPS (2677)

Common Questions

Personal Safety on METRO

Before you even ride it’s a good idea to look at the schedules and plan your trip. That way, you don’t have to wait long for your bus or train.

As you begin your trip, here are a few best practices:

  • Remain alert at all times
  • Walk or move with a purpose
  • Be aware of your surroundings
  • Don’t trust anyone around you
  • Don’t flash valuables
  • Keep your personal belongings close
  • Try to stay in a group or near others

If you’re traveling at night, stay in well-lit areas and stay away from areas with obstructed views.

To identify suspicious behavior, some things you should pay attention to include:

Appearance

  • Anyone wearing clothes unsuitable for the time of year
  • Anything protruding in an unusual way underneath a person’s clothing

Behavior

  • Nervousness, tension, intense sweating, hesitant mumbling
  • Walking slowly while glancing right and left, or running in a suspicious manner
  • Taking photos of transit operations and equipment without displaying proper credentials

Items

  • Electrical wires, switches or electronic devices sticking out of a bag or pocket
  • Unattended bags, packages, boxes, backpacks
  • Unexplained smoke or odd odors

The best place to ride on a bus is near the front, as close to the operator as possible. Unless you have a disability, please avoid sitting in the priority seating areas for the elderly and people with disabilities, marked by the International Symbol of Access (Wheelchair Symbol).

On a METRO train, we’d recommend you ride in the front car of the train, either directly behind the operator or in the middle of the rail car, closest to the window.

Rules for Riding

To help make the journey pleasant and safe for everybody, METRO has developed a Code of Conduct for riders.

For example, smoking is prohibited in covered or enclosed facilities, including transit centers, bus stop shelters and platforms. And consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited on METRO property.

Please review the full METRO Code of Conduct.

Depending on the severity of the violation, you could be fined. You could also be temporarily or permanently suspended from using the system. And you could forfeit any refund or unused funds that may expire during the time when you’re suspended from riding.

No, you don’t need a permit to take photos. We just ask that you don’t interfere with the safe movement of people or vehicles. 

For example, camera lights or flashes should never be aimed in the direction of an oncoming vehicle or used within a moving vehicle. Tripods and other equipment must not be placed in any location that interferes with the safe movement of people or vehicles.

Photography is prohibited in any areas of the METRO system not accessible to the general public.

The law permits photography of private citizens in public places but, as a courtesy, we ask that you request permission of people before snapping their pictures.

For commercial or media photography requests, you can email the METRO Media team at media@RideMETRO.org

About MPD

The METRO Police Department (MPD) is a full-time, full-service police agency of sworn Texas Peace Officers and civilian staff members. They patrol area streets, roadways and METRO facilities on foot and by using police cars, motorcycles, bicycles and segways. MPD plays a large role in special events and emergency response situations. Plus, the MPD canine force sniffs out explosives. Behind the scenes, MPD’s investigative unit helps solve crimes and make arrests, aided by surveillance cameras on buses, trains, Park & Ride lots and transit centers.

Yes. MPD maintains a cooperative working relationship with all law enforcement agencies within the METRO service area to fight crime and solve cases. 

It’s also partnered with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to alert the community about potential threats and what to do in response.

MPD also participates in:

  • Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Joint Terrorism Task Force
  • Houston Police Department Regional Auto Theft Task Force
  • Houston Police Homeless Outreach Unit
  • Houston Police Fusion Center
  • Crime Stoppers of Houston
  • and more

Yes, MPD officers are licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. They have the same law enforcement authority as other licensed peace officers in the State of Texas, including Houston Police Department officers. 

Contacting MPD

Call or text METRO Police at 713-224-COPS (2677).

If you’d prefer to submit a report, you can access the METRO Police form in the Contact Us section of the RideMETRO App.

Activities that are threatening to yourself or others should be reported immediately. Please do either or both of the following:

  • Call 911
  • Alert the operator or fare inspector so they can intervene or contact the METRO Police Department

In a non-emergency situation, you can also report crimes by calling or texting MPD at 713-224-COPS (2677).

Call MPD at 713-224-COPS (2677). The information you give over the phone determines if a police officer will be dispatched to speak with you in person.

See More Questions

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