Chief Ronal Serpas and Metro Parks Director Roy Wilson today announced that, effective immediately, the 25 officers of the Metropolitan Park Police will come under the supervision of a Metro police captain. It is the first time park officers have come under the direct and continuing authority of the Metro police department.
“Because of the law enforcement authority exercised by park officers, Director Wilson and I agree that Metro police supervision should be a part of their day-to-day activities,” Serpas said.
A memorandum of understanding between the police and parks departments provides that the Metro police captain will oversee all activities of park officers, who will continue to have jurisdiction only in Metro’s parks, playgrounds, and other recreational areas. Park officers will be subject to Metro police rules and regulations, although they will remain employees of the Parks Department and will be ultimately accountable to Director Wilson in regard to personnel-related matters. Furthermore, all park officers will be required to successfully complete the same 40 hours of in-service training required of Metro police officers. Park officers will be subject to any other training deemed appropriate by the police department. They will also be subject to the same use of force restrictions as Metro police officers.
“Having a trained captain from the police department assigned as supervisor of the park police will formalize the cooperation between both departments and will benefit the professionalism of an already committed, dedicated Park Police Division as members strive to better serve the citizens who use our facilities everyday,” Wilson said. “I truly believe this agreement will strengthen public safety in our park system.”
Eric Snyder, a 15-year Metro police department veteran who today was promoted to captain, will assume the parks assignment. Snyder, as a lieutenant, most recently supervised the Central Precinct’s day shift.
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