Metro Transit hires Morales as police chief

The Metropolitan Council, which oversees Metro Transit in Minneapolis, has named Ernest Morales III chief of the Metro Transit Police Department, effective Feb. 27.

Morales comes to Minneapolis from the New York Police Department, where he oversaw crisis management, investigations and administration, council officials said in a press release.

Prior to that, Morales was first deputy commissioner of the Mount Vernon Police Department in New York, where he established department policies and procedures, led the coordination of multiple divisions and oversaw staff performance.

"He’s a proven leader known for his ability to build effective relationships that collaboratively address security issues through empathy, communication, trust and understanding," council officials said.