This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
5/15/2023
The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority last week appointed Chuck Lawson chief of its transit police force.
Lawson had been serving as acting chief since July 5, 2022, after Thomas Nestel retired. Lawson will oversee police operations and coordinate security functions protecting employees, riders and property, SEPTA officials said in a press release.
He has served SEPTA Transit Police since 1993, starting as a patrol officer and then rose through the ranks. Prior to becoming acting chief, Lawson was as a police inspector, the department's second-highest ranking role. He was instrumental in implementing SEPTA's body-worn camera program. As acting chief, he created the SEPTA's first virtual patrol unit, which uses the agency's camera network for crime prevention.
As police chief, Lawson will report to SEPTA Chief Operating Officer Scott Sauer.
"Chuck is overseeing SEPTA’s largest officer recruitment class in more than 20 years, increasing our patrol ranks by more than 10%," Sauer said. "Having worked in every department within the SEPTA Transit Police, Chuck is uniquely equipped to lead these new hires, as well as our existing officers."