Chief of Transit Bureau James P. Hall, a 26-year veteran, joined the New York City Police Department in January 1981, and began his career patrolling the streets of Midtown Manhattan. Since then, Chief Hall has risen through the ranks and has served as Commanding Officer in numerous Precincts throughout New York City. In addition, the Chief has also served in the Narcotics Division, Patrol Boroughs Brooklyn North and Queens North, Organized Crime Control Bureau, Street Crime Unit and the Office of Deputy Commissioner, Community Affairs. Having worked in so many different facets of the New York’s Finest provided Chief Hall with crucial insights on risk management and deploying police personnel properly. Chief Hall’s expertise in incident response is evident; in September 2005, he was handpicked to lead a contingent of three hundred NYPD Officers to Louisiana to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina.

With his extensive experience in critical incident management, Chief Hall is a natural fit for the NYPD Transit Bureau. Chief Hall currently oversees the security of the New York City Transit system through the use of a variety of resources including more than two-thousand six-hundred sworn Police Officers. The New York City Transit System consists of four hundred sixty-eight subway stations and a daily ridership of approximately five million commuters. Securing potential terrorism targets, implementing the Transit Canine Unit, and reducing crime are just some duties in a day’s work for Chief Hall.

Chief Hall holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from the State University of New York. 

You can learn interesting facts about the NYC subway system and the history of 'Transit Cops', as well as important tips on how to ride the subway more safely.