Metro Transit gets $1.3 million to hire police officers

Metro Transit has been awarded a $1.3 million federal grant to add five police officers.

The money comes from the Department of Homeland Security and is part of the federal stimulus package.

Metro Transit spokesman Bob Gibbons says the money will fund five transit police officers for three years.

He says they'll work with young people about proper behavior and etiquette while riding public transit. They'll also be trained in anti-terrorism and ride patrols on the Hiawatha light rail line and some bus routes to detect people who might want to harm transit services.

After the three years of the grant are up, the officers will keep their jobs because the transit police department will be expanding for the Central Corridor light rail line.

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