MTA to solve the issue of homelessness in the subway system. After criticism of multiple high-profile arrests, multiple MTA board members expressed concerns over the added police presence, citing the high cost of personnel, estimated at $249 million over four years. Acceditation On the 3 March 2016 the MTAPD attained accreditation status from the New York State Department of Criminal Justice Services Accreditation Council. Structure On June 29, 2022, former Yonkers Police Department Commissioner John Mueller was appointed as the sixth Chief of Police. The structure of the MTA Police is made up of the following senior officers: Chief of Police ("4-star" rank) - head of the MTAPD Chief of Operations, Administration ("3-star" rank) - second in command and in charge of operations Assistant Chief of Special Services ("2-star" rank) - third in command and in charge of special services Below them rank the rest of the department (see rank structure below) of approximately 1000 police officers. Officers serve across the transit system and in various departments (see below). Ranks of Department The following is a list of all of the ranks of the MTA Police Department: Rank insignia for Sergeant and Detective Sergeant (when in uniform) is worn on the upper sleeves of the shirt and jacket while rank insignia for Lieutenant through Chief of Department is worn on the collars of the shirt and the shoulders of the jacket. Power and authority MTAPD officers are New York State police officers according to New York State Criminal Procedure Law, §1.20(34). This means they have police powers powers, within New York State. Officers are also commissioned officers in Connecticut, as MTAPD works in Connecticut (see above section). Uniforms and equipment Despite being a state (or inter-state) law enforcement agency, MTAPD officers wear similar uniform to NYPD personnel. This includes: dark blue shirt with metal badge and collar pins dark blue trousers tie jacket and coat eight-point blue peaked cap, with cap-badge duty belt bullet-resistant vest equipment vest boots The ESU and Hybrid Threat Unit wears a less formal version without metal badges and pins, and with writing on their shirts and jackets, with no "shield". A variety of vests, gloves and other appropriate gear for the season/duty can be worn, such as traffic vests. MTAPD officers are all armed with a pistol and also carry: Taser Expandable baton OC spray Handcuffs Radio that is linked with central despatch and other