BART board approves of 'ambassador' program where unarmed officers will ride trains

BART approved a plan Thursday to add ambassadors to trains to "address customers’ concerns about safety and security." BART approved a plan Thursday to add ambassadors to trains to "address customers’ concerns about safety and security." Photo: Mardis Coers, Moment Editorial/Getty Images Photo: Mardis Coers, Moment Editorial/Getty Images Image 1 of / 24 Caption Close BART board approves of 'ambassador' program where unarmed officers will ride trains 1 / 24 Back to Gallery

The BART board of directors unanimously approved of a six-month "ambassadorship" program on Thursday where unarmed officers will ride trains from 2 p.m. to midnight, seven days a week.

According to a news release, the program is intended to "increase the presence of uniformed personnel on trains to address customers’ concerns about safety and security," but the "ambassadors" will not be armed. There will be a total of 10 ambassadors operating at a given time, all of whom will be "recruited from the ranks of the BART Police Department’s Community Service Officers."

The ambassadors are trained in basic police services, and will also receive "additional de-escalation and anti-bias training." They will ride trains in teams of two, and focus on the transbay corridor between the 12th St. Oakland and Civic Center stations, but will increase their coverage areas during evening commute hours. BART is targeting a February 10 start date.

"Our ambassadors will serve as extra eyes and ears on-board trains," BART Board President Lateefah Simon said. "It’s a promising, first-of-its kind program at BART that will provide a welcoming presence focused on customer service and curbing inappropriate behavior."

The ambassadors will wear their own uniforms, and will be easily identifiable. The program is expected to cost $690,000 over the course of its six months.

"I am pleased existing Community Service Officers who are vetted, hired, trained and supervised by sworn police officers will be on trains on nights and weekends," BART Director Debora Allen said. "I’ve been urging BART to add additional layers of security on board trains since I was elected to the board, and our vote today is a step in the right direction."

Eric Ting is an SFGATE digital reporter. Email: eric.ting@sfgate.com | Twitter:@_ericting