FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Release Date: Oct. 8, 2026

Media Hot Line: 713-739-4040

The METRO Police Department (MPD) is introducing a new Mobile Operations Command Center (MOCC), expanding the department's ability to bring officers, services and assistance directly to customers, employees and communities throughout METRO's service area. 

The MOCC will begin operations at Moody Park in Houston's Northside, in partnership with Houston Mayor John Whitmire and Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. Moody Park will serve as the mobile unit’s first location before it moves throughout METRO’s service area based on transit and community needs. 

The mobile approach is particularly important for MPD, which serves a transit network spanning a large portion of the Houston region. The MOCC helps decentralize MPD resources, giving officers greater flexibility to position personnel and services throughout the system. 

“I am proud to partner with METRO Police as they support rail activity in the area and bring an additional public safety resource closer to the community. Public safety works best when law enforcement is accessible, engaged and connected to the people it serves,” said Harris County Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia. “Having spent much of my career in law enforcement, I know the value of building relationships between officers and the communities they serve.” 

The MOCC includes workstations, communication systems and space for officers to meet with members of the public, take reports and coordinate activities in real time. 

"Our officers are here to serve people. We want our customers and community members to know they can approach us, talk to us and ask for help," said MPD Chief Ban Tien. " Moody Park is our first stop, but the strength of this resource is its mobility and our ability to bring it directly to where it is needed most.” 

The initiative also builds on broader regional cooperation among METRO, the City of Houston and law enforcement agencies throughout the area. METRO thanks the City of Houston for helping facilitate coordination among area law enforcement agencies, encouraging departments to work together and make better use of resources across jurisdictions. 

The addition of the MOCC is part of METRONow, the agency's initiative led by METRO Board Chair Elizabeth Gonzalez Brock focused on strengthening safety, cleanliness, reliability and accessibility throughout the system. The mobile unit complements MPD's growing network of substations and regional partnerships by adding the flexibility to bring police services directly to customers, employees and communities throughout METRO's service area. 

The Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County (METRO) is the region’s largest public transit provider, offering safe, clean, reliable, accessible and friendly transportation services. METRO’s transit network includes local bus, METRORail, which includes the Red Line (Main Street and Northline), the Green Line (East End) and the Purple Line (Southeast), Park & Ride commuter buses, METROLift paratransit service, HOV/HOT Express Lanes, curb2curb microtransit service and METRO Vanpool. Road improvement projects are also part of METRO’s commitment to the Houston region. Learn more about METRO services at RideMETRO.org, where you will also find useful tools like the RideMETRO app where you can plan your trip and even pay your fare from your phone.