The Maryland Transit Administration has appointed John E. Gavrilis as its new chief of police, overseeing 240 officers responsible for patrolling the state's public transit vehicles and stations.

Gavrilis joined the MTA force in 2004 and has been the acting chief since July. Crime is down during his tenure, according to the MTA, which attributes the decrease to a program through which law enforcement analyzes crime trend data to determine how best to deploy officers.

MTA administrator Ralign T. Wells said in a statement that he has the "utmost respect for [Gavrilis'] integrity and attention to detail." Gavrilis said his "primary goal" is to keep rising to the "security challenges posed in a post 9/11 world, while meeting the service needs of our patrons."

Before joining the MTA, Gavrilis had a long career with the Baltimore Police Department, retiring in 2000 as colonel and former interim commissioner.

-- Tricia Bishop