Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Police Department

The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Police, or TBTA Police for short, is a law enforcement agency

Law enforcement agency

In North American English, a law enforcement agency is a government agency responsible for the enforcement of the laws.Outside North America, such organizations are called police services. In North America, some of these services are called police while others have other names In North American...

in New York City

New York City

New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...

thats duties are to protect all facilities and surrounding area owned by the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

MTA Bridges and Tunnels, legal name Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, is a division of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, that operates seven intrastate toll bridges and two tunnels in New York City...

(TBTA), enforce state and city laws at all the facilities and the surrounding area, and many non law enforcement duties, including collecting the tolls(toll collection currently being phased out to toll collectors), towing disabled and wrecked vehicles off of the roadways, and clearing snow off the roadways. The TBTA Police is one of the largest law enforcement agencies in New York City with 966 Bridge and Tunnel Officers (BTOs), Sergeants, and Lieutenants currently employed by the TBTA.

Name

The Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority

is a toll collection agency with many divisions.
The operations force (law enforcemement division) is credited as a police agency because the divisions scope of employment is as a police function. However, BTOs are classified as Peace Officers in New York.

Ranks

There are four sworn titles (referred to as ranks) for the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority Police:

Title	Insignia	Uniform shirt color
Chief		White
Lieutenant		White
Sergeant		Dark blue
Bridge and Tunnel Officer		Dark blue

Facilities

Currently, the TBTA has personnel at all 9 bridges and tunnels operated by the TBTA.

The bridges and tunnels are:

Robert F. Kennedy Bridge (Triborough Bridge)
Bronx-Whitestone Bridge
Verrazano Narrows Bridge
Throgs Neck Bridge
Throgs Neck Bridge
The Throgs Neck Bridge is a suspension bridge opened on January 11, 1961, which carries Interstate 295 over the East River where it meets the Long Island Sound. The bridge connects the Throggs Neck section of the Bronx with the Bay Terrace section of Queens...
Henry Hudson Bridge
Henry Hudson Bridge
The Henry Hudson Bridge is a steel arch toll bridge in New York City across the Spuyten Duyvil Creek. It connects the Spuyten Duyvil section of The Bronx with the northern end of Manhattan to the south. On the Manhattan side, it touches Inwood Hill Park. The bridge was designed by David B. Steinman...
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge
The Marine Parkway-Gil Hodges Memorial Bridge in New York City is a vertical lift bridge that crosses Rockaway Inlet and connects the Rockaway Peninsula in Queens, with Marine Parkway to Floyd Bennett Field, Flatbush Avenue, and the Marine Park neighborhood in Brooklyn...
Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge
Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge
The Cross Bay Veterans Memorial Bridge in New York City, is a toll bridge that carries Cross Bay Boulevard from Broad Channel in Jamaica Bay to the Rockaway Peninsula, and is located in Queens....
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel
Brooklyn-Battery Tunnel
Interstate 478s entire length consists of the Brooklyn–Battery Tunnel and its approaches. Its south end is at Interstate 278, and its north end is at NY 9A ....
Queens Midtown Tunnel
Queens Midtown Tunnel
The Queens–Midtown Tunnel is a highway tunnel and toll road in New York City. It crosses under the East River and connects the Borough of Queens on Long Island with the Borough of Manhattan The Queens–Midtown Tunnel (sometimes simply known as the Midtown Tunnel) is a highway tunnel and toll road...

Power and authority

Sworn personnel are New York State peace officers authorized to make warrantless arrests, make car stops, issue summonses, carry firearms on and off duty, and use physical and deadly force while in their geographical area of employment. The geographical area of employment for sworn personnel is the State of New York, and such personnel have peace officer status both on and off duty.

Units

Currently, the TBTA has the following units:

Patrol
Special Operations Division (SOD)
- Collision Reduction Unit/Highway Patrol
- Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit
Recruit Training (Academy Instructors)
Ceremonial Unit
Operations Central Command and Control
- Interagency Counter Terrorism Task Force

The Commercial Vehicle Enforcement Unit was formed in 2008 with 5 officers and 3 sergeants currently assigned. The unit enforces all weight, hazardous material, cargo, and other restrictions set by NYS law and TBTA rules and regulations.

The Special Operations Division also performs Executive Protection and Specialized Public Safety and Security for special events that involve bridges and tunnels, such as the New York City Marathon

New York City Marathon

The New York City Marathon is a major annual marathon that courses through the five boroughs of New York City. It is one of the largest marathons in the world, with 45,103 finishers in 2010...

, which crosses the Verrazano Bridge.

The department also has a police combat shooting team.

ACROBAT

The Achieving Collision Reduction on Bridges and Tunnels (ACROBAT) program (similar to NYPD TrafficStat) was created to track and prevent auto accidents on the bridges and tunnels. This program also keeps statistics on summonses issued on bridges and tunnels, and what the charges were for. In addition to TBTA's own statistics program, the Special Operations Division attends NYPD TrafficStat meetings.

Operations

Foot posts/security posts at anchorages, vent buildings, plaza, and lane patrol.

CORT/SP Radio Car Patrols - These posts patrol facilities, the surrounding area, anchorages, vent buildings, streets and highways, and any other property owned by the TBTA. The main focus of these patrols are to answer 911 calls, enforce VTL & NYC Traffic rules and regulations, assist motorists, and disabled vehicles, prevent and respond to crimes in the past and in progress, and prevent acts of terrorism.

Sector Posts - RMP(police car
Police car
A police car is a ground vehicle used by police, to assist with their duties in patrolling and responding to incidents. Typical uses of a police car include transportation for officers to reach the scene of an incident quickly, to transport criminal suspects, or to patrol an area, while providing a...

) security posts to prevent trespassing on private property, entering closed lanes or levels, and preventing vandalism or other crimes.

Checkpoints - Conduct truck/vehicle checkpoints on or at the entrance of facilities to prevent any crimes from occurring.

Highway Patrol/SOD - Highway Patrol's main focus is the safety of the motoring public and speed enforcement. Speed is enforced through the use of Radar/Lidar equipment, and officers assigned are trained through local police agencies in the use of such equipment.

Toll collection and non law enforcement duties

Currently, Officers only collect tolls when the facility is short of temporary toll collectors (temporary toll collectors are hired on a 1 year basis, and are usually rehired at the completion of 1 year). Temporary toll collectors have no law enforcement status and their sole responsibility is the collection of tolls.
Many, if not most, Officers, depending on seniority and the facility, do not collect tolls.

Officers operate wreckers to remove disabled vehicles from the roadways and also perform firefighting and emergency rescue operations at the scene of an accident or fire.
During snow storms they may be required to assist in the removal of snow off the roadways.

Training

BTO's attend the MTA Bridges and Tunnels training academy

Police academy

A police academy is a training school for new police recruits, also known as a law enforcement academy.-Australia:Larger police departments usually run their own academies. States often run a centralised academy for training of personnel of law enforcement agencies within the state.Police...

located on Randalls Island

Randalls Island

* Randall's Island* Randalls Island , an island in the Yellowstone River...

, NY for 16 weeks.
BTO's are trained in the use of a Glock 26 & 19 as well as the M4A1 assault rifle and Remington 870.

BTO's receive training in accordance with the New York State Municipal Police Training Council standards, New York City Fire Department

New York City Fire Department

The New York City Fire Department or the Fire Department of the City of New York has the responsibility for protecting the citizens and property of New York City's five boroughs from fires and fire hazards, providing emergency medical services, technical rescue as well as providing first response...

training, NIMS training, Recognizing and Dealing with Weapons of Mass Destruction training, Radiation Detector training, American Red Cross First Aid/CPR training and MTA Bridges & Tunnels Training Academy.

Vehicles

Currently, the police force uses 9C1

9C1

9C1 is Chevrolet's Special Equipment Options code for a police package vehicle. The 9C1 package has heavier-duty features over a non-police vehicle as well as some options specific to the installation of police equipment. The Chevrolet Nova, Malibu, Celebrity, Caprice, Impala, Tahoe, and Camaro...

police package Chevrolet Impalas for patrol and Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

Ford Crown Victoria Police Interceptor

Though the name has been officially in use since 1992, the 1978–1991 full-size LTDs and LTD Crown Victorias and 1992 updated body style used the "P72" production code designation for both fleet/taxi and police models, with the model itself being internally classified as S...

s and Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet Suburban

Chevrolet offered a station wagon body, built on the 1/2 ton truck frame. This model was specifically built for National Guard units and Civilian Conservation Corps units. Much of the body was constructed from wood, and could seat up to eight occupants....

s for Highway Patrol/SOD.
The department terms their police cars "RMPs", which stands for Radio Motor Patrol.

Firearms

Currently, all officers are equipped with a Glock 19 9mm service weapon, and the Glock 26 9mm is authorized for off-duty use. Also M4A1 assault rifles may be used. Members of the Special Operations Division are equipped with Remington 870

Remington 870

The Remington Model 870 is a U.S.-made pump-action shotgun manufactured by Remington Arms Company, Inc. It is widely used by the public for sport shooting, hunting, and self-defense. It is also commonly used by law enforcement and military organizations worldwide.-Development:The Remington 870 was...

shotguns, and are used for emergencies requiring additional firepower.

Equipment

BTO's are equipped with a firearm

Firearm

A firearm is a weapon that launches one, or many, projectile at high velocity through confined burning of a propellant. This subsonic burning process is technically known as deflagration, as opposed to supersonic combustion known as a detonation. In older firearms, the propellant was typically...

, expandable baton, can of pepper spray

Pepper spray

Pepper spray, also known as OC spray , OC gas, and capsicum spray, is a lachrymatory agent that is used in riot control, crowd control and personal self-defense, including defense against dogs and bears...

, handcuffs

Handcuffs

Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...

, whistle

Whistle

A whistle or call is a simple aerophone, an instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. It may be mouth-operated, or powered by air pressure, steam, or other means...

, flashlight

Flashlight

A flashlight is a hand-held electric-powered light source. Usually the light source is a small incandescent lightbulb or light-emitting diode...

, reflective traffic vest

High-visibility clothing

High-visibility clothing, a type of personal protective equipment , is any clothing worn that has highly reflective properties or a colour that is easily discernible from any background. Yellow waistcoats worn by emergency services are a common example....

, bullet resistant vest, radiation detector, and a radio that is directly linked to the Central Dispatcher and other BTO's.

September 11th attacks and change of the department

Prior to the September 11th attacks, BTO's were unarmed unless they were the desk officer, a supervisor, making an arrest, or transporting revenue money. The reason for officers being unarmed was due to customer service concerns. A BTO's main responsibility was toll collection, with limited law enforcement tasks. BTO's mainly stood foot posts on the plaza, and RMP patrols were limited.
Since September 11, the TBTA force's responsibilities and operation has increased dramatically. All officers, sergeants, and lieutenants are now armed at all times, and the force is proactive in law enforcement responsibilities and has members assigned to counter terrorism units. The formation of several units also took place over this time, and many new law enforcement posts were created for day to day operations.

Recent incidents involving BTO's

In 2007, BTO's were involved in two shootings, on the Triborough and Bronx Whitestone Bridges, and assisted in the delivery of a newborn baby.

On July 4, 2008, a man wanted for threatening the lives of two Washington DC Police
Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia
The Metropolitan Police Department, also known as the DC Police, DCPD, MPD, and MPDC is the municipal police force in Washington, D.C...

officers and for an outstanding felony warrant in New York was arrested by a BTO at the Triborough Bridge on 125th street in Manhattan after recognizing the man from a BOLO poster.

In August 2008, BTO Daniel Bell was fired for starting a dispute with Wilfred Rattigan, a driver at his toll booth at the Queens Midtown tunnel. Rattigan, an FBI Agent, handed Bell 3 crumpled one dollar bills
United States one-dollar bill
The United States one-dollar bill is the most common denomination of US currency. The first president, George Washington, painted by Gilbert Stuart, is currently featured on the obverse, while the Great Seal of the United States is featured on the reverse. The one-dollar bill has the oldest...

which Bell refused to take, saying it was MTA policy and the driver would need to straighten the bills himself. A heated exchange ensued, during which Bell called Rattigan "dude
Dude
A dude is an individual, typically male. The female equivalent, which is used less often, is "dudette" or "dudess". However, "dude" has evolved to become more unisex to encompass all genders, and this was true even in the 1950s....

" and Rattigan demanded to see Bell's supervisor. After Bell requested his supervisor, Rattigan straightened out the bills and attempted to hand them to Bell, but he refused to take them, saying he had to wait for his boss to arrive. Rattigan then reached under his seat and pulled a black bag on his lap. Bell asked what was in the bag, and Rattigan responded "A weapon - and here is my identification". Bell ordered Rattigan to take his hands out of his pockets, but he continued to pull out his identification. Bell then drew his firearm on Rattigan and the other people in his car, and ordered them to put their hands on the dashboard or the seat in front of them. Bell was seen on camera searching Rattigan's car, and within seconds 8 other BTO's surrounded the car with their firearms drawn. Once it was confirmed Rattigan was an FBI Agent, he was sent on his way, and the next day he filed a complaint with the TBTA. A city administrative law judge
Administrative law judge
An administrative law judge in the United States is an official who presides at an administrative trial-type hearing to resolve a dispute between a government agency and someone affected by a decision of that agency. The ALJ is usually the initial trier of fact and decision maker...

heard the case, and Bell was fired for starting the dispute. It was later discovered that Bell received 9 complaints in 3 years relating to rudeness.

Possible merger into Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police

Because the Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority is a part of the Metropolitan Transportation Authority, there has been discussion around incorporating the BTOs into the MTA Police

MTA Police

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority Police, or MTA Police, is the police agency of New York's Metropolitan Transportation Authority, or MTA...

. In the original draft of the creation of the consolidated MTA Police Department, the agencies that were originally to be merged were the Long Island Rail Road Police, Metro North Police, Staten Island Rapid Transit Police, and TBTA. TBTA officers were then removed due to issues in seniority, and the completion of a NYS Police refresher course.
In 1998 the MTA Police Department was created by combining the Long Island Rail Road Police and Metro North Police. On July 1, 2005, the Staten Island Rapid Transit Police was absorbed into the MTA Police.

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