MTS hires Manager of Operations for Transit Enforcement

The Metropolitan Transit System (MTS) announced Jan. 28, 2016 that former San Diego County Sheriff’s commander Michael Barletta has been hired to oversee all field security and enforcement operations to help ensure safe travel for nearly 97 million passengers annually. He will supervise 200 transit officers.

Prior to joining MTS, Barletta served in the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department for 30 years. During his tenure, Barletta led the department in multiple areas including the Sheriff’s Rural Division where he oversaw law enforcement efforts for 2,200 square miles of San Diego County, the Lemon Grove Sheriff’s Station, the Investigations Division and the Human Resources Bureau.

“Mike has proven experience in all facets of managing a large law enforcement agency and effectively protecting the public,” said Paul Jablonski, MTS CEO. “All of his law enforcement work has been in San Diego, so he’s familiar with our region and our transit system. Mike’s experience in San Diego and with the Sheriff’s Department will be a valuable resource to us.”

MTS contracts with Transit Systems Security, which deploys 165 officers for MTS. Additionally, MTS directly employs 35 Code Compliance Inspectors. Barletta will directly oversee both groups.

Barletta will be third in command as the Manager of Operations for Transit Enforcement, behind MTS Deputy Director of Transit Enforcement and Code Compliance Ed Musgrove and Director of Transit Enforcement Manuel Guaderrama. Combined, MTS Security’s leadership has more than 85 years of law enforcement experience with the Sheriff’s Department and San Diego Police Department.

“We have exceptional leadership and a wealth of experience on our security team,” said Guaderrama. “One of our priorities is maintaining strong relationships with the cities, communities and partner law enforcement agencies. The addition of Mike Barletta builds on these efforts.”

Barletta holds three degrees from San Diego State University including a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and master’s degrees in education and public administration. He lives in East County with his wife, Anita. They have three children and two dogs.

MTS operates 95 bus routes and three Trolley lines on 53 miles of double-tracked railway. Every weekday more than 300,000 passenger trips are taken on MTS bus and Trolley services. MTS set a new record in FY 2015 with 96.7 million riders.