Organization
Transit Police Chief Charles “Chuck” Lawson leads the department, which is organized in three sections, each headed by an inspector and captain. The sections are:
Patrol
This is the largest section within the SEPTA Police Department, which serves the nation’s sixth largest transit system.
Transit Police patrol by car, foot or mobile cart and continue the tradition of keeping passengers and employees safe and secure on the SEPTA system.
Special Operations
Special Operations is comprised of units that assist in the day-to-day operations of the police department:
Canine (K-9) Unit: The Transit Police K-9 unit has multiple breeds of dogs that serve in detecting explosives on the mass transit system. The K-9 Unit quickly responds to reports of unattended bags and packages so that the dog can check for scents that indicate the possibility of an explosive.
Special Operations Response Team (SORT): This unit has specialized training to handle situations such as Armed Hijacking, Hostage Situations, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Terrorism, Tactical Response and Urban Disorder/Civil Disobedience.
Criminal Investigations Squad: The squad is composed of a dedicated team of trained detectives and supervisors who investigate crimes committed on SEPTA property. Detectives are responsible for conducting interviews of complainants and witnesses, gathering evidence, and obtaining arrest and search warrants. Other duties include undercover surveillance and patrols throughout the system. Detectives receive training in crime scene investigation, legal studies, interview and interrogation techniques and fingerprinting.
The CIS work closely with SEPTA’s Office of the Inspector General to investigate fraud, waste, abuse, and mismanagement within the Authority. The CIS also works with many local, state, and federal law enforcement departments and has a detective assigned to a regional FBI Multi-Agency Joint Terrorism Task Force.
Office of Professional Responsibility
Internal Affairs: Responsible for investigating any allegations of impropriety by any member of the department.
Training and Recruitment Unit: They make sure that every member of the department is qualified in CPR/first aid, firearms re-qualification, cultural diversity awareness, report writing, crimes code updates, rail safety, defensive tactics, and verbal judo training every year. This unit also schedules training with the Municipal Police Officers’ Education and Training Commission (MPOETC) and the physical fitness test annually for all officers. They are also responsible for recruiting and processing police applicants.
Communications/Technical Unit: Comprised of police and public safety communications specialists who operate a state-of-the-art, computer-aided dispatch system. They also manage a sophisticated smart station closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera system and life safety system. In addition, they maintain the radio system and databases. Other duties include performing daily computer maintenance, compiling statistical data, and crime mapping.
Administrative Staff: The unit provides administrative oversight and coordinates office services such as budget preparation, department records, file maintenance, and payroll administration.
Command Staff

Charles “Chuck” Lawson
Chief of Transit Police

James Zuggi
Deputy Chief of Transit Police

R. Kitt Walls
Inspector of Patrol

Daryl Jones
Inspector of Special Operations

William B. Saunders Jr.
Captain of Patrol

Eltor Sumpter
Captain of Special Operations

Marc Pasquarella
Captain of Office of Professional Responsibility
Mission
- To work in partnership with other SEPTA employees and customers.
- To provide a safe and secure work and travel environment.
- To enhance the quality of life on our system through law enforcement efforts that reduce the fear and incidence of crime.