Transit worker allegedly caught sleeping on the job

BOSTON (WHDH) -- A transit worker was caught by a commuter apparently sleeping on the job at the Mattapan T station.

Greg Adrien took the photo of a transit police officer who appears to be sleeping.

“He’s sitting there -- his head is back, I take a close look, his eyes are closed, his mouth is open. I look at his hand and his magazine is falling out of his hand,” Adrien said.

Via twitter, Adrien sent the picture to the MBTA saying officials need to know about this.

“We saw the picture, immediately a supervisor was dispatched out to check on the officer’s well being,” said Deputy Chief Joseph O’Connor, MBTA transit police.

Authorities say the officer has been on the job for 29 years. He's assigned desk duty at the Mattapan station and was working the 3:30pm to 11:30pm shift.

“The officer has admitted to this. I’m sure he is sorry for his lapse in judgment,” said De. Chief O’Connor.

Adrien says he certainly doesn't want the officer to lose his job over this -- he just wants to send a message that this can't happen.

“Especially with a side arm on you can't fall asleep on the job,” Adrien said.

MBTA officials say disciplinary action will be taken