MTA MTA Traffic and Patrol Procedures 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: During a foot patrol on a busy subway platform, an officer's PRIMARY purpose is to:
- Generate as many summonses as possible per shift
- Deter crime, maintain order, and provide a visible law enforcement presence (Correct answer)
- Conduct undercover surveillance of passengers
- Enforce only felony-level offenses
Correct answer: Deter crime, maintain order, and provide a visible law enforcement presence
The primary purpose of patrol is deterrence, maintaining order, and providing a visible presence that promotes safety and public confidence.
Question 2: An officer responds to a report of a fight in progress on a subway platform. Upon arrival, the two individuals have separated and appear calm. What should the officer do?
- Arrest both individuals immediately for disorderly conduct
- Leave the scene since the fight is over
- Interview both parties, witnesses, and determine if an offense occurred (Correct answer)
- Only take action if a victim explicitly requests an arrest
Correct answer: Interview both parties, witnesses, and determine if an offense occurred
Officers must investigate reports of fights by interviewing parties and witnesses to determine if a crime occurred and what action is warranted.
Question 3: Which of the following is an example of a lawful Terry stop (stop and frisk) on MTA property?
- Stopping a passenger because they look nervous
- Stopping a person who matches a specific description of a recent robbery suspect (Correct answer)
- Stopping all passengers on a platform for a random bag check
- Stopping someone because they are wearing baggy clothes
Correct answer: Stopping a person who matches a specific description of a recent robbery suspect
A lawful Terry stop requires reasonable articulable suspicion, such as matching a specific description of a suspect in a recent crime.
Question 4: An officer is patrolling a Metro-North station parking lot and observes a vehicle parked in a fire lane with its hazard lights on. What is the most appropriate action?
- Ignore the situation as it is not a transit-related matter
- Issue a summons and have the vehicle towed if the driver is absent (Correct answer)
- Place a courtesy notice on the windshield only
- Call NYPD to handle the situation
Correct answer: Issue a summons and have the vehicle towed if the driver is absent
MTA Police have authority over MTA-owned parking facilities and can issue summonses and arrange towing for vehicles blocking fire lanes.
Question 5: When preparing to use force, an officer must consider the concept of 'proportionality.' This means:
- Using maximum force to quickly end any confrontation
- Using only the level of force reasonably necessary to address the threat (Correct answer)
- Using equal force to whatever the suspect is using
- Using force only when authorized by a supervisor
Correct answer: Using only the level of force reasonably necessary to address the threat
Proportionality requires officers to use only the minimum level of force necessary and reasonable given the threat presented.
Question 6: A passenger approaches an MTA Police Officer to report that someone is smoking marijuana on the subway platform. Under current New York law, marijuana use in public transit areas is:
- Legal if the amount is under two ounces
- Prohibited and subject to civil or criminal penalties (Correct answer)
- Only prohibited underground, not on open-air platforms
- Decriminalized with no enforcement action allowed
Correct answer: Prohibited and subject to civil or criminal penalties
While marijuana is legal for adult use in New York, smoking it in prohibited public spaces including MTA transit areas remains subject to civil and criminal penalties.
MTA MTA Traffic and Patrol Procedures 1
During a foot patrol on a busy subway platform, an officer's PRIMARY purpose is to: