RenEarl Bowie has been sworn in as the new Chief of the CapMetro Transit Police Department, according to an announcement from CapMetro. The ceremony took place in Austin, Texas, and included the induction of three additional officers to the department.
Chief Bowie brings more than 30 years of law enforcement experience, including his previous roles with the Texas Department of Public Safety and as Captain of CapMetro’s Transit Police. The appointment comes as part of CapMetro’s efforts to expand its transit network and reinforce safety measures across Central Texas.
Dottie Watkins, President and CEO of CapMetro, said, “Chief Bowie brings an exceptional depth of experience, integrity, and vision to CapMetro. His leadership will be instrumental as we continue expanding our transit network and reinforcing our pledge to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all riders and employees. I also want to extend my congratulations to the new officers joining our team; we are excited to have them on board.”
Chief Bowie commented on his new role, stating, “I’m honored to serve in this role and join an agency that plays such an important part in our community. As we move forward, our focus will be on proactive policing which includes, strong community engagement, and building trust with the people we serve every day.”
The addition of three new officers increases the Transit Police Department’s staffing to 14 sworn officers since its launch in June 2025. The department continues to recruit more personnel to support its growing operations. The new officers will take on responsibilities such as routine patrols, emergency response, customer assistance, and community outreach.
Since starting patrols, the Transit Police Department has worked to build relationships with riders and community members while enhancing safety throughout the transit system. More information about the department is available at https://www.capmetro.org/public-safety-program/transit-police.
