Be safe on Metro

Na-update: 5/16/2026

The Metro system has an excellent reputation for being a safe transit system.

Metro Transit Police officers in uniform and in plain clothes routinely patrol Metro Rail trains, Metro Bus vehicles, stations, and parking lots. Emergency response plans are in place for a variety of crisis scenarios.

Be safe in stations

Follow these safety guidelines while in stations:

  • Do not run in the station.
  • Do not sit on the platform edge.
  • Do not walk on the trackbed.
    • The third rail carries 750 volts of electricity.
    • Always stay away from it, even if you think the power is off.
    • Third-rail power is usually not affected during a station power outage.

Report a suspicious package

Report any suspicious package or activity to a Metro employee or police officer. Do not go near an unattended item or handle it.

Use the appropriate method based on where you are:

  • On a train: Use the emergency intercom at either end of the car to talk to the train operator.
  • In a station: Use the emergency intercom on platform pylons to talk to Metro personnel, or call 911 on any pay phone.
  • On a bus: Alert the bus operator.
  • By phone or text:
    • Call Metro Transit Police at 202-962-2121.
    • Text MyMTPD (696873).

Jurisdiction of the MTPD

The Metro Transit Police Department has an authorized strength of 420 sworn officers, 106 security special police and 24 civilian personnel. Officers provide a variety of law enforcement and public safety services on the Metrorail and Metrobus systems in the Washington metropolitan area. Metro Transit Police officers have jurisdiction and arrest powers throughout the 1,500 square mile transit zone that includes the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia for crimes that occur on or against Metro facilities. The Metro Transit Police Department is the only tri-jurisdictional police agency in the country and the agency serves a population of 3.2 million.

Metro Transit Police officers are trained to the standards set for police in the District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia. Both uniformed and plainclothes officers patrol trains, buses, rail and bus stations, and parking lots. Radio dispatched scout cars respond to both rail and bus security issues. Metro also has a bicycle patrol, K-9 unit, motorcycle unit, and a Criminal Investigations Division.