Raymond Diaz Named MTA Director of Security

Published on : Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) Chairman and CEO Thomas F. Prendergast announced today that Raymond Diaz, former chief of the New York City Police Department Transit Bureau, is joining the MTA as Director of Security, effective January 6, 2014.
Diaz will oversee security for the MTA, including coordinating MTA security efforts with the Department of Homeland Security, FBI, the National Guard, NYPD and State Police, as well as the MTA Police Department, which has jurisdiction in 14 counties in New York and Connecticut, patrolling approximately 5,000-square miles of the MTA’s rail network.
Diaz retired from the NYPD in 2011 as chief of the Transit Bureau, which is responsible for the safety and security of the MTA New York City Transit subway and bus system. He replaces Douglas Zeigler, who was appointed MTA Director of Security almost three years ago after a 37-year career in the NYPD.
“Ray Diaz is a strong and effective commander with a deep understanding of the security challenges facing mass transit,” Prendergast said. “Having worked closely with him in the past, I’m glad to have the opportunity to bring him to the MTA as part of my leadership team. I also want to thank Doug Zeigler for his dedicated service to keep the MTA safe and secure.”
“The MTA network is the lifeblood of New York, and being asked to help protect it from all threats is both a great challenge and a great honor,” Diaz said. “I am grateful for the opportunity to continue serving the public at the MTA, and I am excited to return to an active role in keeping the public safe and secure.”
Diaz was a member of the NYPD for 41 years, during which he also served as commanding officer of the Manhattan North and Manhattan South patrol boroughs as well as three precincts and the School Safety Division. He earned two Purple Hearts while serving in Vietnam with the United States Marine Corps.