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(The Associated Press circulated the following on May 29, 2009.)

DALLAS — Amtrak’s vice president for security strategy has left the passenger-rail service.

Amtrak says William Rooney’s duties will be handled on a temporary basis by the railway’s police chief, John O’Connor.

The railway said Friday it plans to combine the police and security departments.

Rooney helped launch counterterrorism units at Amtrak and build ties to U.S. and international counterterrorism officials.