Career Overview
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Also Known As
- Patrolman
- Railroad Police
- Railroad Police Officer
- Transit Police Officer
Alternate Job Titles
- Canine Officer (K-9 Officer)
- Field Training Advisor
- Field Training Agent
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Officer
- Patrol Man
- Patrol Officer
- Patroller
- Patrolman
- Police Captain
- Police Specialist
- Public Transit Specialist
- Railroad Detective
- Railroad Police
- Railroad Police Officer
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Prepare reports documenting investigation activities and results.
- Monitor transit areas and conduct security checks to protect railroad properties, patrons, and employees.
- Apprehend or remove trespassers or thieves from railroad property or coordinate with law enforcement agencies in apprehensions and removals.
- Direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or strikes involving railroad property.
- Patrol railroad yards, cars, stations, or other facilities to protect company property or shipments and to maintain order.
- Investigate or direct investigations of freight theft, suspicious damage or loss of passengers' valuables, or other crimes on railroad property.
- Examine credentials of unauthorized persons attempting to enter secured areas.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Public Safety and Security
- Law and Government
- English Language
- Customer and Personal Service
- Transportation
- Education and Training
- Geography
- Psychology
Essential Skills
Success in this career requires strong skills in:
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Complex Problem Solving
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Oral Expression
- Inductive Reasoning
- Speech Clarity
- Deductive Reasoning
- Written Expression
- Far Vision
- Near Vision
- Speech Recognition
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Stress Tolerance
- Dependability
- Integrity
- Self-Control
- Cautiousness
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Relationships
- Support
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Bachelor's Degree
On-the-Job Training: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
Education Details: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience Required: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Microsoft Active Server Pages ASP
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
Tools & Equipment
- 35 millimeter cameras
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- Biohazard suits
- Biological hazard detectors
- Breathalyzers
- Cardiopulmonary resuscitation CPR face shields
- Chemical hazard detectors
- Crime scene tape measures
- Digital cameras
- Digital video cameras
- Distance measuring wheels
- Explosive detectors
- Filter masks
- Fingerprint evidence kits
- First aid kits
Work Environment
- In an Enclosed Vehicle or Operate Enclosed Equipment
- Outdoors, Exposed to All Weather Conditions
- Deal With External Customers or the Public in General
- Contact With Others
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $58,370 |
| Median | $82,320 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $141,870 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 3,000
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $76,290
Security Guards
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $38,370
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $105,980
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Education: Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
Median Salary: $58,610
Detectives and Criminal Investigators
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $93,580
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.