NYPD vet set to lead MTA cops

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NYPD vet set to lead MTA cops

BY PETE DONOHUE and ALISON GENDAR

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITERS

May 2nd 2008

 

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NYPD Deputy Chief Mike Coan.

[/float]The MTA's new top cop in charge of safeguarding the nation's two largest commuter railroads will likely be a highly respected 26-year veteran of the NYPD, the Daily News has learned.

 

NYPD Deputy Chief Mike Coan, executive officer of the detective bureau, is expected to be named the next MTA police chief, sources said Thursday.

 

MTA police are responsible for guarding the Long Island Rail Road and Metro-North Railroad, including historic Grand Central Terminal, regarded as a top terror target.

 

The MTA police force, which has more than 700 cops, last year launched a more visible anti-terror initiative with officers and explosive-sniffing dogs checking trains along the lines outside the city's borders with assistance from local, state and federal law enforcement teams.

 

Coan's career includes stints as executive officer of the NYPD's famed Detective Bureau and Patrol Borough Manhattan South. He also was inspector in charge of the department's communications' office.

 

The exercise buff and father of two began his NYPD career in 1982 on patrol in what was then called the midtown traffic area.

 

Sources said he has accepted a verbal offer from MTA CEO Elliot Sander, but details of his contract have to be finalized.

 

The position has been vacant since last year when the former chief left for another post.

 

The new chief will join another former NYPD veteran at the MTA, William Morange, one-time chief of patrol, now the authority's security director.

 

Police Commissioner Raymond Kelly commended Coan's savvy in March 2006, when he promoted him to deputy chief.

 

Kelly also highlighted Coan's work in the department's press office during the contentious Republican National Convention.