What You Need to Know About Transit and Railroad Police Officer
Job Description: Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Transit & Railroad Police Officer Responsibilities
- Seal empty boxcars by twisting nails in door hasps, using nail twisters.
- Examine credentials of unauthorized persons attempting to enter secured areas.
- Direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or strikes involving railroad property.
- Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers’ valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.
- Provide training to the public or law enforcement personnel in railroad safety or security.
- Record and verify seal numbers from boxcars containing frequently pilfered items, such as cigarettes or liquor, to detect tampering.
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What Every Transit & Railroad Police Officer Should Know
When polled, Transit and Railroad Police say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Complex Problem Solving: Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Police Specialist
- Patrolman
- Police Patrol Officer
- Transportation Sergeant
- Railroad Police Officer
Job Outlook for Transit and Railroad Police
There were about 4,900 jobs for Transit and Railroad Police Officer in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.2% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 400 new jobs for Transit and Railroad Police Officer by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 400 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Transit & Railroad Police Officer are Georgia, Nevada, and Texas. Watch out if you plan on working in Maryland, New Jersey, or Washington. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Do Transit and Railroad Police Make A Lot Of Money?
Transit and Railroad Police make between $49,380 and $101,470 a year.

Transit and Railroad Police who work in New Jersey, Washington, or New York, make the highest salaries.
How much do Transit and Railroad Police make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Illinois | $69,960 |
Indiana | $71,760 |
Maryland | $64,460 |
Michigan | $46,910 |
Nevada | $72,570 |
New Jersey | $84,870 |
New York | $81,300 |
Texas | $59,290 |
Washington | $83,050 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Transit and Railroad Police
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Transit and Railroad Police:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Web browser software
- SmugMug Flickr
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- National Crime Information Center NCIC database
- Law enforcement information databases
- Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFIS
- Crime mapping software
- MapInfo Professional
Becoming a Transit & Railroad Police Officer
Learn what Transit and Railroad Police Officer education requirements there are.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Transit & Railroad Police Officer?

Who Employs Transit and Railroad Police?

The table below shows the approximate number of Transit and Railroad Police employed by various industries.

Related Careers
Those thinking about becoming a Transit and Railroad Police Officer might also be interested in the following careers:
Career changers with experience as a Transit and Railroad Police Officer sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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