I am very interested in becoming a police officer for any railroad. Honestly, I’d prefer Norfolk Southern, but still being able to be a police officer for any railroad would be a fantastic career in my book. I saw that Norfolk Southern requires several licenses and certifications for their officer positions, in addition to (among others) a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. They want “Certified Law Enforcement Officer,” “Commissioned Law Enforcement Officer,” and “Commissioned Railway Police Officer.” What would I have to go through to get these certain qualifications?
You don’t say your age or where you live…but, check high school and college counselors for guidence…talk to NS police recruiters and officers, and also your local police chief, sheriff, or state police people. If you are serious, they will give you better direction than railroaders…not slamming railroaders, just that there is more similarities in the law enforcement catagory than in railroading. Also check out private security companies, those who provide more than mall cops and event traffic directors.
Ah, sorry. I’m 22 years old and I live in Springfield, Illinois. I forgot to mention that.
The requirements for police officer vary from state to state, and in theory, once licensed as a peace officer you could be hired by any entity in the state. Usually called POST training, (if you google it, but the periods in between the letters: P.O.S.T.) here is a site from CT, which will give you some more ideas.
By digging around int the CT website, I find that the MTA is listed as a police department.
ROAR
Can’t speak for NS - my carrier looks to former municipal or state police officers that have had real world police experience when hiring.
The better jobs require a degree in Criminal Justice. In Texas one of the best schools for Criminal Justice is Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. It probably would not be practicable for you to go to Sam Houston; you would have to pay out-of-state tuition, but you could get a good idea of what criminal justice programs look like by visiting its website.
If you Google criminal just degrees you probably will be able to find schools near your home that will be more practicable for you. If you cannot go to school full time or attend a physical campus, the University of Phoenix has an on-line program that may meet your needs. You could complete most of it home whilst working, which may be your situation.
When looking for a job, after having acquired the required credentials, don’t restrict yourself to one potential employer or one geographical area. Getting a career off the ground and developing it requires flexibility; i.e. willingness to move, take difference assignments, etc.
I was 22 when I began my college career. I had been in the Marine Corps for four years, and going back to school was a challenge, but it paid off big time. You are never too old to acquire a formal eduction. The key is to have a game plan to get it and then stick with it.
Question: Is there any difference between a “railroad police officer” and what we knew as “special agents” when I worked on the U.P. 40 years ago? Thanks.
Probably not, Dakotafred…but times have changed quite a bit since then, too. In some states, like NY, railroad police can have the same authority state police or sheriff deputies; other states offer similar authority. Name or designations can be different and have totally different meanings in different juristictions and at different times of history. Being in law enforcement today is so different than even 20 and 50 years ago, so much more complicated and sophisticated, too. Police acadamey used to be the beginnng steps but now you enter after some college level courses if not at least an Associates degree.