Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) GM/CEO Paul J. Wiedefeld announced that Interim Chief Michael L. Anzallo will serve as the Metro Transit Police Department’s new chief.

Anzallo was asked to lead MTPD in August 2021 and helped steer the department through pandemic-related challenges with an emphasis on community policing throughout the region.

“Chief Anzallo is a trusted leader in MTPD who has built important relationships with our communities and jurisdictional police partners,” said Wiedefeld. “He demonstrates genuine concern for helping to solve very difficult challenges that are unique to our business and the region. I know he will be an effective leader for MTPD.”

Since serving as interim chief of police, Anzallo has focused his attention on recruiting a new generation of police officers by updating outdated policies that can preclude men and women from joining MTPD ranks; bolstering support of accountability measures within MTPD that hold officers to the highest standards of policing; building positive relationships with communities in WMATA’s service areas to foster collaboration and understanding of neighborhood needs while helping to reduce crimes against people near and on Metro properties; supporting stiffer penalties for proposed legislation to protect frontline transit workers from assaults; expanding police presence to support new service expansion areas in Metro’s territory; and continuing to emphasize opportunities for dedicated training that supports the future of a growing region.

Prior to joining MTPD as assistant police chief in 2018, Anzallo worked as a Metropolitan police officer, rising through the ranks, and bringing more than 30 years of policing experience in the region to the role.

Anzallo currently coordinates WMATA’s emergency management command response with area law enforcement, helping to galvanize resources that may require cross jurisdictional coordination. He also oversees transit police security programs including transit police bureaus for patrol operations, homeland security, intelligence, and investigations. Anzallo will continue to provide strategic oversight for WMATA’s executive management team and board of director’s on MTPD’s vision for the future.