CHICAGO (AP) - Metra has hired a new police chief to overhaul the force that’s in charge of protecting the nation’s second-largest commuter rail agency.
Metra announced Monday it had chosen Joseph Perez, a 28-year Illinois State Police veteran.
A consulting firm hired to review the force released a report last year describing Metra’s police department as “antiquated” and beset by a lack of leadership and mission. Findings included ineffective policies, excessive overtime expenses and a lack of firearms training.
Perez will be in charge of enforcing the report’s recommendations.
He became a trooper in 1986 and served in roles that included the state police’s SWAT team and a unit combating gangs and drugs.
Most recently, he was a commander in charge of 800 officers in the six counties in the Chicago area.
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