BART receives public input on important qualities/experience of next police chief

Ensuring safety on BART by increasing police presence on trains, in stations and parking lots should be the top priority for a new police chief, the public told BART in an online survey. 

Respondents were asked to rate 14 personal characteristics or attributes desired in a new chief.  Most of the qualities received high ratings; the top two were “leadership” and “ethics and transparency.”

BART is releasing the results of the survey (download a PDF version of the survey and results here .pdf) today as the process of selecting a new police chief moves forward.  The survey was administered through two channels: an email invitation to randomly selected riders and an open-participation format on BART’s website. A total of 835 respondents completed the survey.  A public meeting was held in December to gather feedback.

Former Police Chief Gary Gee retired on Dec. 30, 2009. BART is undertaking a nationwide search to fill the position, and sought public input on what qualities and experience would be desired in a new chief.