MDTA Names Nicholas Augustine New Police Chief

State of MD - The Maryland Transportation Authority has picked its next chief of police. MDTA announced Nicholas Augustine will take over the role after a long recruitment process.

Augustine brings more than 25 years of law enforcement experience to the job. He currently serves as an assistant chief of police with the Montgomery County Police Department.

He will officially start with MDTA Police on October 2. Augustine steps into the position after Colonel Joseph Scott retired earlier this summer following 26 years of service.

Secretary of Transportation and MDTA Chair Katie Thomson praised the pick. "We are confident that incoming Colonel Augustine is the right leader for this moment and for the future of the MDTA Police," she said. "His experience, proven leadership and commitment to public service will help advance MDTA's mission of providing safe, secure and reliable transportation for the people of Maryland and the millions of travelers who use our facilities each year."

MDTA Executive Director Bruce Gartner also weighed in on the announcement. "Incoming Colonel Augustine understands that effective policing requires both strong leadership within the department and a meaningful partnership with the community," Gartner said. "I look forward to working with him as we build on our successes, address the challenges ahead and continue our mission to safeguard the people who use and work at MDTA facilities. I want to thank Lieutenant Colonel Alford for his continued leadership and commitment to serving as acting chief of police during this time of transition."

Augustine started his law enforcement career with Montgomery County Police in 2002. Before that, he worked as a police officer with the Maryland-National Capital Park Police.

He rose through the ranks over the years. Before becoming assistant chief, he served as chief of the Investigative Services Bureau, where he oversaw criminal investigations and specialized operations.

His career has included work in patrol operations, criminal investigations, tactical operations, district command, and executive management. That range of experience is part of what led MDTA to choose him for the top job.

Augustine shared his own thoughts on the new role. "I am honored to have the opportunity to lead this department's dedicated professionals and serve all those who use our facilities," he said. "The MDTA Police play a critical role in protecting some of our state's most important transportation infrastructure, and I look forward to strengthening our partnerships and building on the strong foundation that has been established."

Augustine earned a bachelor's degree in criminal justice from the University of Maryland University College. He also holds two master's degrees, one in criminal justice from Arizona State University and one in public safety from the University of Virginia.

He is a graduate of the FBI National Academy and Northwestern University's School of Police Staff and Command. MDTA Police is the eighth-largest law enforcement agency in the state, with more than 500 sworn and civilian professionals covering the state's highways, bridges, tunnels, BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport, and the Port of Baltimore.