Occupation · SOC 33-3052
Transit and Railroad Police
Protect and police railroad and transit property, employees, or passengers.
Median wage
$82,320
$58,370–$141,870
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
3,000
Job Zone 3
Typical preparation
Medium preparation
Stackable credential programs
8 mapped
Core skills
SpeakingActive ListeningCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingSocial PerceptivenessMonitoringWritingJudgment and Decision MakingCoordinationActive LearningService OrientationReading ComprehensionNegotiationTime ManagementSystems AnalysisPersuasionInstructingManagement of Personnel ResourcesLearning StrategiesOperations MonitoringOperation and ControlSystems EvaluationQuality Control AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesTroubleshootingOperations AnalysisProgrammingTechnology DesignScienceRepairingInstallationEquipment SelectionEquipment Maintenance
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityLaw and GovernmentEnglish LanguageCustomer and Personal ServiceTransportationEducation and TrainingGeographyPsychologyComputers and ElectronicsAdministration and ManagementTelecommunicationsCommunications and MediaTherapy and CounselingAdministrativeSociology and AnthropologyPersonnel and Human ResourcesMathematicsPhilosophy and TheologyMedicine and DentistryForeign LanguageChemistryHistory and ArcheologyEngineering and TechnologyDesignPhysicsMechanicalEconomics and AccountingProduction and ProcessingBiologyBuilding and ConstructionSales and MarketingFine ArtsFood Production
Technology & tools
Crime mapping softwareIntegrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System IAFISLaw enforcement information databasesMapInfo ProfessionalMapInfo StreetProMicrosoft Active Server Pages ASPMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WordNational Crime Information Center (NCIC) databaseSmugMug FlickrWeb browser software
Representative tasks
Documenting/Recording InformationMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming for or Working Directly with the PublicProcessing InformationIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesPerforming General Physical ActivitiesGetting InformationUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsTraining and Teaching OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesWorking with ComputersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesAnalyzing Data or InformationCoaching and Developing OthersThinking CreativelyOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsScheduling Work and ActivitiesPerforming Administrative ActivitiesProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsHandling and Moving ObjectsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationSelling or Influencing OthersStaffing Organizational UnitsMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesControlling Machines and ProcessesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Patrol routes and railroad yards — complete assigned foot or vehicle patrols under direct supervisor guidance at transit facilities.Incident documentation — draft basic reports recording daily security observations and patrol activities under close review by senior officers.Credential verification — check and record identification of individuals attempting to enter secured railroad or transit areas following established protocols.Trespasser identification — recognize and report unauthorized persons on railroad property to a supervising officer for appropriate action.Transit traffic laws — observe and identify common violations occurring within the transit system under the direction of an experienced officer.Security check procedures — execute routine safety and security checks of railroad cars, stations, and platforms using standard departmental checklists.Radio and communication tools — use department-issued telecommunications equipment to relay information and receive instructions during assigned shifts.Active listening in patron interactions — gather basic information from passengers and employees reporting suspicious activity or safety concerns.Database entry — input patrol observations and incident data into departmental record-keeping software with guidance from a supervisor.Emergency recognition — identify signs of fires, floods, or derailments on railroad property and notify dispatch and supervisors immediately.
developing
Routine security patrols — independently monitor transit areas and railroad properties, identifying threats and anomalies with reduced supervisory oversight.Incident report writing — prepare accurate, complete investigation and incident reports using office suite and word processing software for departmental review.Apprehension coordination — apprehend trespassers or thieves on railroad property or coordinate their removal with local law enforcement agencies.Traffic law enforcement — enforce transit-system traffic regulations, issue reprimands or citations, and document violations in departmental systems.Freight theft investigation — conduct initial investigations of missing shipments or suspicious cargo damage, gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses.Passenger valuables loss response — investigate reports of stolen or lost passenger property, applying inductive reasoning to identify likely causes or suspects.Social perceptiveness in patrol — read behavioral cues of patrons and employees to detect deception, distress, or pre-criminal activity during routine patrols.Geographic orientation — apply working knowledge of transit system geography to plan effective patrol coverage and respond quickly to incident locations.Negotiation in conflict situations — de-escalate verbal disputes between patrons or between staff and passengers on transit property using practiced communication skills.Digital evidence management — retrieve, organize, and query security-related data using database and internet browser software to support active investigations.
proficient
Autonomous complex investigations — lead investigations of freight theft, criminal damage, or passenger crimes on railroad property from initial report through case closure.Emergency operations leadership — direct security activities at derailments, fires, floods, or labor strikes, coordinating personnel and communicating with external agencies.Non-routine trespass and threat response — assess and resolve unusual or escalating unauthorized-access situations on railroad property using independent judgment.Comprehensive report authorship — produce detailed investigative reports, evidence summaries, and case files that meet legal and organizational standards without supervisory review.Multi-agency coordination — serve as the departmental liaison to law enforcement, fire, and emergency services during complex transit security incidents.Systems analysis for security gaps — evaluate transit and railroad security procedures, identifying vulnerabilities in patrol coverage, access control, or reporting protocols.Advanced interview and interrogation — conduct structured witness and suspect interviews applying psychological principles to elicit accurate and actionable information.Presentation of findings — prepare and deliver briefings using presentation software to departmental leadership on investigation outcomes and security trends.Traffic enforcement program execution — autonomously apply and refine transit traffic-law enforcement practices across the full jurisdiction of the transit system.Map-based patrol analysis — use map creation software to analyze incident distribution across the rail network and optimize patrol resource deployment.
advanced
Organizational security strategy — set department-wide security policies and patrol frameworks for transit and railroad properties aligned with agency and regulatory standards.Investigative program oversight — establish investigation protocols, quality standards, and accountability measures for all freight theft and criminal incident inquiries.Emergency preparedness leadership — design and exercise the department's response plans for derailments, natural disasters, and labor actions affecting railroad operations.Officer development and training — create and deliver structured training curricula on law enforcement procedures, report writing, and transit-specific legal authority for new and existing officers.Interagency relationship management — build and maintain formal partnerships with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies to enhance railroad and transit security outcomes.Performance monitoring and analytics — use data analysis tools and spreadsheet software to track security metrics, identify systemic trends, and drive evidence-based resource decisions.Policy and legal compliance leadership — interpret applicable law and government regulations and translate them into enforceable departmental directives and officer standing orders.Technology integration — evaluate and champion adoption of new security technologies, database systems, and communications tools to modernize transit policing operations.Stakeholder communication — represent the transit police function to executive leadership, union representatives, elected officials, and the public through formal presentations and written communications.Mentorship and succession planning — identify and develop high-potential officers for supervisory roles, ensuring organizational continuity and sustained competency across the department.
Also known as
28 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Canine Officer (K-9 Officer)Field Training AdvisorField Training AgentLaw Enforcement OfficerOfficerPatrol ManPatrol OfficerPatrollerPatrolmanPolice CaptainPolice SpecialistPublic Transit SpecialistRailroad DetectiveRailroad PoliceRailroad Police OfficerRailroad Safety SpecialistRailroad WatchmanSecured Entrance MonitorTrack PatrolTrack WatchmanTransit Authority PoliceTransit Authority Police OfficerTransit OfficerTransit Police OfficerTransit SpecialistTransportation OfficerTransportation SergeantUnarmed Officer