Opinion ID: 494567
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Officer Lawrence

Text: 36 Members of the WMATA transit police, when acting within the scope of their responsibilities, are engaged in governmental functions within the meaning of section 80 of the Compact. Hall v. WMATA, 468 A.2d 970, 973 (D.C.App.1983). When a transit officer has probable cause to make an arrest, he has absolute immunity from a subsequent civil suit for that action. See Stebbins v. WMATA, 495 A.2d 741, 743 (D.C.App.1985). As the district court correctly found, [t]he undisputed testimony shows that Officer Lawrence had probable cause to arrest Mr. Dant when he observed him exiting the Dupont Circle Metro Station before the gates had closed on the previous passenger in spite of the fact that Dant's own card was rejected by the machine with the instruction to go to add fare. District Court Mem.Op. at 5. Accordingly, we affirm the district court's dismissal of the common law claims against Officer Lawrence. 37