Before the NYPD took over, New York City had its own dedicated subway police force.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: For over sixty years, the New York City Transit Police operated as an independent agency, tasked with securing the complex world of the subway. From its origins as a small group of unarmed station supervisors to a massive, accredited force, this department shaped how the city managed its underground transit safety.

The roots of the New York City Transit Police trace back to 1933, when the city hired six men as state railway police to guard the Independent Subway System. Initially, these officers were unarmed and focused on basic station supervision. By 1940, as the city absorbed private operators like the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, the force expanded significantly. It officially became a separate department in 1953, operating independently of the New York City Police Department for over four decades. At its peak in 1994, the agency employed nearly 4,500 members, ranking as the sixth-largest police force in the United States.

The department was known for its specialized units, which addressed unique urban challenges. The Vandal Squad, established in 1980, became famous for its aggressive campaign against subway graffiti, successfully curbing the problem by the late 1980s. Other units included the Decoy Squad, which targeted robberies, and the Emergency Medical Rescue Unit, which managed incidents involving passengers struck by trains. The force also maintained its own internal affairs division, nicknamed the Shoo-Fly Squad, which monitored officer conduct across the system.

The agency's independence eventually led to operational friction, including redundant units and communication difficulties with the NYPD. In 1995, Mayor Rudy Giuliani consolidated the Transit Police into the NYPD to streamline control and payroll. While the merger ended the department's autonomy, it transformed the force into the current Transit Bureau. Throughout its history, the department faced significant challenges, including a major fiscal crisis in 1975 that forced deep personnel cuts, and the historic 1979 hiring of the first female officers. Despite these shifts, the legacy of the Transit Police remains a defining chapter in the history of New York City law enforcement.

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