Metro has tightened its hiring standards by reducing the number of felony convictions allowed, as well as setting tougher limits on driving violations and sex crimes in the wake of several high-profile employee incidents.
The transit agency said Tuesday it rolled out the new policies Aug. 3 to tighten its existing standards and create new ones for job applicants as a way to improve its staffing. It also wants to send a signal to employees and the public.
“We want to make sure our employees are the best they can be,” spokeswoman Angela Gates said. “When the customers put their trust in us, we want to be able to meet that trust.”
The new rules say the agency will not hire job candidates for positions in which employees interact with the public if applicants have a felony conviction within the last 10 years, a stiffer rule than the previous cutoff of three convictions. They cannot have any convictions for violent or sexual crimes, either.
Those employees cannot have driving under the influence convictions, reckless driving charges or more than two points on their driver’s licenses within three years.
All other candidates, including those who would handle money, have a slightly lower bar. They cannot have a felony conviction or two or more misdemeanor convictions within the past five years.
The transit agency’s largest union, which represents bus drivers and train operators, did not return a call for comment.
In March, Metro officials said they had created a special team to review the agency’s hiring practices after two Metrobus operators were involved in high-profile acts of violence.
In March, Metro officials said they had created a special team to review the agency’s hiring practices after two Metrobus operators were involved in high-profile acts of violence.
One was killed by an off-duty police officer in what D.C. police said was a botched robbery attempt. Another was fired after stopping his bus to punch a police officer who was dressed as McGruff the Crime Dog. The Examiner reported both men had criminal records.
However, problems continued, including one bus operator photographed reading while driving, another charged with kidnapping a passenger, and another charged with driving her bus without a valid license.
The new rules will not apply to the agency’s approximately 10,000 current employees. But Metro has decided to crack down on its existing employees, including creating a zero-tolerance policy for operators who use cell phones while running trains or buses.
