Amtrak Police Department

Amtrak Police Department
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Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdiction	United States
Legal jurisdiction	Amtrak Rail System
General nature	Civilian police
Specialist jurisdiction	Railways, tramways, and/or rail transit systems.
Operational structure
Police Officers	450
Agency executive	John J. O'Connor, Chief
Website
None

The Amtrak Police is a railroad police agency that acts as the security and law enforcement agency of Amtrak, a passenger train system in the United States. The Amtrak Police has 450 sworn police officers, most of whom are stationed within the Northeast Corridor, Amtrak's busiest route.

This agency is responsible for the security of stations, trains, right-of-way, and maintenance facilities.

Amtrak Police officers are trained at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.

Policies

After the September 11 attacks, Amtrak Police have been banning photography at stations and of trains. Amtrak's Photography Policy states that "In emergency and/or special circumstances (for example, declared elevation of Homeland Security Advisory System to High or Severe - orange and red) and where actions are deemed suspicious or inconsistent with this policy by observing/reporting persons, photographers and videographers may be approached and questioned to determine if further investigation or action is necessary". However, the Amtrak Police have stopped anyone taking pictures or video at stations regardless of the terror threat, resulting in the Amtrak CEO creating a new policy.

An Amtrak Police SUV

See also

• List of United States federal law enforcement agencies
• New Jersey Transit Police Department

External links

• Amtrak
• Testimony of Amtrak Police Chief Ernest R. Frazier before the House Transportation Committee Subcommittee on Railroads