Transit Police officers have jurisdiction and arrest powers throughout the 1,500-square-mile (3,900 km2) Metro service area for crimes and traffic infractions that occur on facilities owned, controlled or operated by the Transit Authority (including bus stops),[2] within 150 feet (46 m) of a Metrobus stop, or that endanger Metro property or patrons.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, the 2004 Madrid train bombings, and the July 7, 2005 London subway bombings, and periodically since, members of the Metro Transit Police Special Response Team conduct security sweeps of the rail system in tactical gear, carrying long rifles and submachine guns, and supported by explosive ordnance detection K-9 teams.

The department has a dedicated explosive disposal team and K-9 unit, and often assists local and federal law enforcement agencies with their resources in those fields.

[5] Officer Marlon Morales was shot in the District of Columbia by a fare evasion suspect at the U Street Metro station on June 10, 2001.

[6] Local ordinances strictly forbid riders from eating or drinking while on board a Metrobus, Metrorail train, or inside stations.

[7][8][9][10][11] Officers are required to take police action when they observe any criminal activity, but arrests for these minor violations are rare.

One exception was on October 23, 2000, when a 12-year-old girl was arrested, searched, and handcuffed for refusing to stop eating french fries while in the Tenleytown–AU Metro station.

Another widely noted case occurred on July 16, 2004, when an EPA employee entered the Metro Center station with a PayDay candy bar.

[18] Metro now allows the use of restrooms by passengers who gain a station manager's permission, except during periods of heightened terror alerts.

[19][20] On October 27, 2008, the Metro Transit Police announced plans to immediately begin random searches of backpacks, purses, and other bags.

On the first day of searches, at least one false positive for explosives was produced, which Metro officials indicated could occur for a variety of reasons including if a passenger had recently been in contact with firearms or been to a firing range.