Metropolitan Transportation Authority (NY)

MTA Police

Phonetic Alphabet

While there is limited value in providing a phonetic alphabet on this page it can serve as a guide for patrol unit call signs.

Adam
Boy
Charlie
David
Eddie
Frank
George
Henry
Ida
John
King
Lincoln
Mary
Nora
Ocean
Paul
Queen
Robert
Sam
Tom
Union
Victor
William
X-Ray
Young
Zebra

Communications Unit

The Police Communications Unit dispatches all MTA Police units system-wide. Dispatch identifies on MTA talkgroups as "Central."

Investigative Services Bureau

Special Investigation Division

Special Conditions Unit

The Special Conditions Unit is responsible for, in short, warrant operations, and some crime reduction strategy development. They perform both uniformed and plainclothes enforcement operations. The only unit heard on air is "Conditions Sergeant."

Metro-North

Zone 6 (Mount Vernon)

Zone 6 units are numbered 6-Adam through 6-Henry (although 6-Adam is rarely heard and 6-Boy and 6-Charlie are yet to be recorded). It is unclear what exactly these units represent (cars, beats, officer pairs, etc.). What is known is that call signs have no relation to car number--at times officers will mention what RMP (radio mounted patrol) they're in, but it is never used as an identifier. In addition to patrol units, there are two foot post units ("6-Foot Post-1," "6-Foot Post-2"). It's unclear if "1" represents a foot post, or one of two officers manning one foot post. There is also a special post ("6-SP," and "6 Special Post-1," also called "6-SP-1"). It's likely this is just a special detail post, and it's unclear if "SP" and "SP-1" represent the same thing (once again, a matter of it being the post itself, or an officer on the post). There are also dedicated train patrol officers ("6-Train Patrol" as well as "6-Train Patrol-2") although these units are rarely heard. Train patrol units are supervised by "6-Train Patrol-Sergeant"--there appear to be multiple Train Patrol sergeants as "6-Train Patrol-Sergeant-3" has also been heard. Additionally, "6-DD-1" and "6-DD-3," they are the detectives for Zone 6, they fall under the Detective Division. Supervisors for Zone 6 are "6-Sergeant" and "6-Lieutenant," with the commanding officer for the zone being "6-CO." The district executive officer (second in command) is believed to be a captain, and identifies on air as "6-XO." Zone 6 falls under the command of the North commanding officer ("North CO"), and, below them, the North Duty Captain ("North Duty").

Zone 7 (Beacon)

Zone 7 units are numbered 7-Adam through 7-Henry. Additionally, units "7-David-1," "7-David-2," and "7-Adam-2" have been heard. It is unclear what exactly these units represent (cars, beats, officer pairs, etc.). What is known is that call signs have no relation to car number--at times officers will mention what RMP (radio mounted patrol) they're in, but it is never used as an identifier. In addition to patrol units, there is a foot post unit ("7-Foot Post" and "7-Foot Post-1"). There are also dedicated train patrol officers ("7-Train Patrol-1" through "7-Train Patrol-4," units also called, "7-TP-1," etc--a 0 is also sometimes added before the second digit i.e. "7-Train Patrol-01") although these units are rarely heard. Like with other units, it's unclear if these call signs represent one officer, or a pair of officers. Additionally, "7-DD-1" are the detectives for Zone 7, they fall under the Detective Division. Supervisors for Zone 7 are "7-Sergeant," "7-Lieutenant," with the commanding officer for the Zone being "7-CO." None of these call signs are valid on Dutchess County channels, and they identify with "Metro ##," but none of these call signs have been heard on air. Zone 7 falls under the command of the North commanding officer ("North CO"), and, below them, the North Duty Captain ("North Duty").

Zone 11 (Harlem-125th Street Station)

Zone 11 is much smaller than the other zones, and as such units are only numbered "11-Adam" through "11-Charlie." Additionally, units "11-Adam-1" (also called "11-Adam-01") through "11-Adam-3" have been heard. It is unclear what exactly these units represent (cars, beats, officer pairs, etc.). What is known is that call signs have no relation to car number--at times officers will mention what RMP (radio mounted patrol) they're in, but it is never used as an identifier. In addition to patrol units, the unit "11-CP-1" has been heard--it's likely a post unit, but it's exact usage is unclear. Zone 11 is supervised by "11-Sergeant" and, at times, "11-Sergeant-2." Zone 11 falls under the command of the North commanding officer ("North CO"), and, below them, the North Duty Captain ("North Duty").

Metro-North Operations Control Center

The Operations Control Center is not under the control of MTA Police, but they do have officers assigned there. In short, the OCC is Metro-North's full time control center/situation room. The only unit heard on air is "OCC Sergeant."

Special Operations Division

Canine Unit

Canine units are primarily tasked with explosive detection, among other duties. Units do not appear to be assigned to a zone, and appear to be floaters. Units are identified with "K9," followed by two numbers which appear to be personal ID numbers (not related to car number, zone number, beat number, etc.). It seems posible the first digit of two digit units is the officer's platoon number ("K9-7-Sergeant" was heard responding alongside "K9-74" to an incident in Zone 7, it's possible "K9-7-Sergeant" is "K9-74"'s supervisor) The following table lists all recorded units.

Call Sign	Unit
K9-7-Sergeant	Sergeant
K9-38	Canine Unit
K9-45	Canine Unit
K9-54	Canine Unit
K9-62	Canine Unit
K9-74	Canine Unit
K9-81	Canine Unit

Emergency Services Unit

Much like the New York City Police Department's Emergency Services Unit, MTA Police ESU is a "everything patrol can't do" unit. Their duties range from rescue duties, to tactical operations, although they can usually be heard clearing obstructions from railroad tracks. ESU trucks don't seem to be assigned to a zone, and appear to be floaters. ESU trucks identify with their truck number. "ESU-1" though "ESU-5" are light tactical trucks staffed by two officers. "ESU-9" through "ESU-13" (and likely "ESU-14" as well) are also light tactical trucks. "ESU-6" through "ESU-8" have not been heard on air, and no pictures of them seem to exist.

Highway Unit ("Highway Patrol")

The Highway Unit's duties are, at best, vague. First, one must draw the distinction between the Highway Unit and the MTA's Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority: The two are distinct, and do not appear to be related in any way. It seems this Highway Unit just have general highway patrol and traffic enforcement duties, as well as traffic accident investigation (why these duties fall on MTA Police is unclear). Units are identified with "Highway," followed by two numbers which appear to be personal ID numbers (not related to car number, zone number, beat number, etc.). "Highway-21" and "Highway-24" are heard relatively frequently on the Zone 6/7/11 dispatch talkgroup. The supervisor for those two appears to be "Highway-Sergeant-1" who has also been heard on that talkgroup, albeit far less frequently. The following table lists all recorded units.

Call Sign	Unit
Highway-Sergeant-1	Sergeant
Highway-21	Officer
Highway-24	Officer