[IMAGE]Transit-Officer-Grads-full.jpg[/IMAGE]Thirteen Special Commissioned Peace Officers were sworn in as members of the Pierce Transit Uniformed Security Division on Tuesday at a graduation ceremony celebrating their completion of rigorous public transportation and public safety coursework. The two sergeants and 11 uniformed security officers participated in 52 classes over a five-week period. 

“I am very proud of the inaugural class of Pierce Transit Commissioned Peace Officers,” said Lynne Griffith, Pierce Transit CEO. “Not only did they excel in their class work, they are pioneers in the public transportation industry. Their work will be a blue print for transit policing all across the country.”

Pierce Transit is Washington’s first and only public transportation agency to have a general authority commissioned police department (Department of Public Safety).  The Uniformed Security Division is one of three divisions of the Pierce Transit Department of Public Safety; they will support the Transit Police and the Physical Security Divisions. Pierce Transit’s Department of Public Safety closely collaborates with 44 different law enforcement jurisdictions across Pierce, King and Thurston Counties. 

Pierce County Executive Pat McCarthy gave opening remarks and Sheriff Paul Pastor was the keynote speaker at the graduation ceremony.

The new Special Commissioned Peace Officers will next participate in seven weeks of comprehensive field training.