The metropolitan transportation authority police department (mtapd) serves a unique population of commuters and riders on our rails, subways, busses, bridges, and tunnels in the greater new york…

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) received a $289,060 Project Grant award from the Department of Justice Office of Justice Programs Bureau of Justice Assistance under the Body Worn Camera Policy and Implementation program (CFDA 16.835). The funding will enable the MTA Police Department (MTAPD) to enhance its in-service distance learning capabilities through the development of an analytical library to categorize body-worn camera (BWC) video for use as a training tool. Key activities include procuring video production lab equipment, video editing software, and training for MTAPD officers to create the BWC video training library. This investment will support the MTAPD's goals of improving officer training and developing innovative solutions to prevent and reduce crime through the use of data, video, and algorithmic templates. The 3-year grant period runs from October 1, 2023 to September 30, 2026.

The metropolitan transportation authority police department (mtapd) serves a unique population of commuters and riders on our rails, subways, busses, bridges, and tunnels in the greater new york city region encompassing an area of over 5,000 square miles. Officers patrol myriad locations from dense urban environments, to suburban communities, to rural areas, to beachfront communities. This large distance makes centralized, in-person training complicated. The mtapd is looking to enhance its in-service distance learning capabilities through the use of online distance learning platforms that incorporate a newly developed BWC video library. The department's BWC program has been a well-received tool to assist our agency in the development of training resources for our officers in serving unique multi-modal transportation stakeholders. As a transportation law enforcement agency, we have a dynamic mission which requires frequent training developments to enhance our ability to reduce crime. Through the use of unique distance learning tools such as BWC videos, were able to remotely train our officers on incidents such as potential terrorist activity, quality of life issues with homeless populations, workplace violence incidents, fare evasion, evidence-based DE-escalation, and more. The mtapd seeks the development of an analytical library to categorize BWC video that can be used as a training tool to demonstrate how an incident should be handled. In order to facilitate this library development, the mtapd is also seeking to procure video production lab equipment, video editing software, associated training, and labor hours for training unit officers in order to create the most effective training tool possible. This investment will greatly assist our agency with the creation of a comprehensive remote training curriculum model using data, video, and algorithmic templates to help with identifying gaps in training, identifying patterns in use of force, and creating analytical resources to BWC data. The development of this BWC training video library will greatly support the MTA police department's goals of improving officer training and developing innovative solutions to prevent and reduce crime while professionalizing our ranks.