VIA Transit Police
Who We Are
The VIA Transit Police are a dedicated group of officers who provide a variety of law enforcement and public safety services anywhere VIA goes.
Riders
Your safety is VIA’s first priority.
VIA provides 36 Million Passenger trips a year, and the VIA Transit Police Department is here to help keep those trips safe.
The department works with other local law enforcement agencies to provide a variety of public safety services, while developing the most effective means to ensure VIA customers and the public feel welcome and safe when riding VIA.
Officers are licensed peace officers, with the same rights, duties, and obligations of all Texas peace officers. They are certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE), and trained in de-escalation, and mental health crisis intervention.
Routes
VIA Transit Police go everywhere VIA goes, covering about 98% of Bexar County with 14 member cities and unincorporated areas of the region that together span 1,208 square miles – the second-largest transit service area in Texas.
VIA Transit Police officers patrol and maintain a presence at VIA facilities, offices, transit centers, shelters, and stops, and along the routes, roads, and highways, where VIA operates.
Officers conduct pro-active checks of buses, transit facilities, bus routes, and respond to calls for security as needed.
VIA’s Bicycle Patrol travels the Downtown San Antonio area to monitor activity at and around bus stops and shelters.
Readiness
Throughout their service with VIA, officers are required to attend continuing education, training, and recertification courses to enhance best practices, updates on law enforcement technology, and strengthen conflict resolution skills.
VIA Transit Police Officers work to educate the community through ongoing outreach and education efforts. They regularly attend public meetings, speak at area schools about safety, and host students who visit VIA to meet with officers and staff, and learn about the different roles within the department
Serving
Community
With thousands of daily passengers, VIA is committed to providing safe, secure and reliable service. VIA hired its first officers in 2002, today has a department of 30 officers, and is currently seeking more Superheroes to join the force. Visit the VIA Employment page for details.
Did You Know?
VIA Transit Police at a Glance
VIA Transit Police officers serve a population of more than 1 million residents and cover more than 1,200 square miles in San Antonio and Bexar county.
VIA Transit Police officers are certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement, are trained in de-escalation and mental health crisis intervention.
VIA participates in the “See Something, Say Something” safety awareness campaign, designed to encourage agency employees and members of the public to be aware of their surroundings and to report suspicious activity to proper law enforcement personnel.
The VTPD enforces applicable federal, state and city laws, as well as VIA Police policies and procedures
Safety Recognition
In 2019, VIA Transit Police earned statewide accreditation recognition for their dedication to service, through compliance with more than 168 Texas law enforcement best practices criteria. The VTPD was one of only two Transit Police departments in the state to receive the distinguished award from The Texas Police Chiefs Association.
FAQs
Yes, all VTPD officers hold a Peace Officer License issued by the State of Texas and overseen by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). VIA Metropolitan Transit Authority holds the commissions of all VTPD officers.
Yes. The VTPD enforces applicable federal, state and city laws, as well as VIA Police policies and procedures.
For questions or comments about VIA Service, customers can call the VIA goLine at (210) 362-2020.
For safety or security concerns, they can call the Transit Police Department’s Emergency Safety and Security line at (210) 362-2439.
Resources
The VIA Metropolitan Transit Police Department was created in November 1999 by a vote of the local Transit Authority Board. The first Transit Police officers were hired in early 2000 as total authorized strength for the department was established at 3 sworn officers.
The department has grown in size and stature during the past 20 years as the department now carries 42 sworn positions, 4 telecommunicators and civilian support staff.
The Transit Police Department also has a State-licensed Security Academy and a dedicated security staff of 90 commissioned Security Officers. The VIA Transit Police Department has an annual budget of over $6 million and oversees the law enforcement needs of its customers who logged over 36.6 million passenger trips in 2018.
The men and women of the VIA Transit Police Department protect and serve the citizens of San Antonio and Bexar County who use and rely on the Transit System as their preferred mode of travel to the workplace, medical centers, education institutions and entertainment.
The Mission of a VIA Metropolitan Police Officer is to safeguard the passengers, employees and properties of our transit system.
Our Vision is to become the premier Transit Police Department dedicated to providing a safe environment for our customers, employees and service providers.
Ownership: We are dedicated: To do everything in our power to complete our assignment and duties in a positive, professional manner.
Customer Focused: We are driven: To meet the needs of our citizens, riders and fellow employees.
Collaborative: We are a team: To work as one with all co-workers and partnered agencies so our combined efforts are greater than any individual’s.
Creative Value: We are innovative: To look for new effective and efficient ways to change our environment for the better.
Constant Learning: We are always improving: To strive for continuous progress on a path from good to great.
The minimum qualifications that all applicants for the position of Transit Police Officer are listed on the current job description on file with VIA’s Human Resources Division and posted in the employment website when there is a job opening. Those qualifications include:
- Age of 21 or over.
- High school graduation or GED completion.
- Successful completion of a Law Enforcement Academy.
- TCOLE Peace Officer License active and in good standing.
- Be of good moral character.
VTPD Mailing Address
VIA Metro Transit Police Department
711 W. Laurel Street
San Antonio, Texas 78212
VTPD Police Headquarters
VIA Metro Transit Police Department
711 W. Laurel Street
San Antonio, Texas 78212
PHONE
(For emergencies only) 210-362-2439
(For non-emergencies) 210-362-2117
Standard operating procedures published here may contain redactions. The redaction of specific information is necessary to prevent interference with the law enforcement efforts of the VIA Transit Police Department. Redactions are consistent with previous guidance received from the Office of the Texas Attorney General. The procedures provided are subject to periodic amendment and modification by the VIA Transit Police Department at any time.
- r 100 Mission Vision Core Values
- r 101 Code of Ethics
- r 200 Code of Conduct
- r 200 Code of Conduct update 09-29-2020
- r 201 Public Activities
- r 202 Organization Chart
- r 203 Designated Personnel
- r 203 Designated Personnel Update 02-24-2022
- r 204 On-Board Training and orientation
- r 204 On-board Training and Orientation update 02-23-2022
- r 205 Community Outreach Draft
- r 206 Best Practices Recognition Program
- r 301 Uniforms
- r 301 Uniforms update 02-23-2022
- r 302 Complaints
- r 303 Workplace Harassment
- r 304 Weapons [OAG MARKED] R
- r 305 Intermediate Weapons
- r 306 Vehicle Operations
- r 306 Vehicle Operations Update 02-23-2022
- r 307 Board Meeting and building security [OAG MARKED] R
- r 308 Command Notification
- r 309 Reserve Officers
- r 401 Directive System and Written Communication
- r 402 Report Process
- r 403 Line and Equipment Inspections
- r 404 Selection and Hiring
- r 405 Social Media
- r 406 CJIS Security
- r 406 CJIS Security Updated 03-01-2022
- r 601 Racial Profiling
- r 602 Impounding Vehicles
- r 603 Patrol Procedures [OAG MARKED]
- r 604 On-Bus Operations [OAG MARKED]
- r 605 Court Appearances – Compensation
- r 606 Police Records Open Records Release
- r 607 Jurisdiction interagency Cooperation
- r 608 Prisoners
- r 608 Prisoners Update 03-01-2022
- r 609 Juveniles
- r 610 Traffic Direction and Control
- r 610Traffic Direction and Control update 11-21-2020
- r 611 Family Disturbances Protective Orders
- r 612 Emergency Vehicle Operations-Pursuits [OAG MARKED]
- r 613 Ride Along Program
- r 614 DWI Procedure
- r 615 Alarm Response Procedures [OAG MARKED]
- r 701 Property and Evidence
- r 701 Property and Evidence Update 02-08-2022
- r 702 Digital Photography – Video Recording Procedures
- r 703 Crime Scene Duties
- r 704 Follow Up Investigations
- r 705 Interview and Interrogation [OAG MARKED]
- r 706 Assaults on VIA Employees
- r 707 Eyewitness Identifications [OAG MARKED]
- r 708 Threat Assessment and Violence Prevention
- r 800 Emergency Operations Plan
- r 801 Incident Command System
- r 802 Unusual Occurrences and Critical Incidents [OAG MARKED]
- r 803 Active Shooter Incidents hostage barricade crisis [OAG MARKED]
Click on the button below to learn more about the Transit Police Department and helpful resources.
Have questions or concerns?
For questions or comments about VIA Service, customers can call the VIA goLine at (210) 362-2020. For safety or security concerns, they can call the Transit Police Department’s Emergency Safety and Security line at (210) 362-2439.