The Amtrak Police Department is a national police force committed to protecting the passengers, employees, and patrons of Amtrak. With more than 450 sworn and civilian personnel located at more than 30 locations in 46 states, we conduct a range of behind-the-scenes and front line security measures to ensure Amtrak employee, passenger, and infrastructure safety and security.

While the men and women of the Amtrak Police Department work diligently to keep you safe by patrolling our stations, tracks and trains, protecting “America’s Railroad” does not end there.

Amtrak passenger and employee vigilance is an extremely valuable and effective crime prevention tool, and I encourage everyone to report suspicious items, persons, or activity, and unattended bags or objects immediately to the Amtrak Police Department by contacting a uniformed officer, calling (800) 331-0008, sending a text to APD11 (27311), or calling 911.

Thank you for taking the time to visit our webpage.

Chief Sam Dotson

Patrol

Patrol Officers fulfill traditional policing functions. Their job is to act as a deterrent to crime in the stations, on trains, in and around Amtrak facilities, and out on the railroad right-of-way by enforcing laws, conducting follow-up investigations and providing support at stations, on board trains, and during special events such as the Republican and Democratic National Conventions, NATO / G-8 Summits, presidential inaugural events, and large scale sporting events. The APD has also provided humanitarian aid in the aftermath of major weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes and snowstorms.

K9 Unit

K-9 explosive detection teams are a psychological and physical deterrent to potential threats from those who seek to deploy explosives. These teams are part of a collaborative inter-agency initiative that includes the Transportation Security Administration, federal and state Departments of Homeland Security, and state and local law enforcement agencies. Amtrak explosives detection teams are divided between standard explosives detection and vapor wake detection. Vapor wake detection dogs are trained to alert on a passing individual. Amtrak currently has the most K-9 units in the railroad industry with vapor wake capabilities. Additionally, The APD currently has two working narcotics detection K-9 teams.

Detectives

There are 16 Regional Liaison Detectives that are staffed in various locations throughout the United States. The detectives provide coverage to areas generally not served by major Amtrak Police field offices and may individually cover as many as seven states. The detectives are responsible for investigating major crimes, assisting with locating missing persons, following up on train accidents, and providing aid to passengers aboard disabled trains. Detectives also serve on inter-agency task forces that are designed to combat specific types of crime that threaten homeland security. The detectives are also responsible for developing mutual aid partnerships with local, state, and federal agencies located in their areas of responsibility.

Office of Intelligence and Analysis

The Office of Intelligence and Analysis (OIA) serves as a critical support element for the patrol divisions, which serve as the front-line of the APD and seeks to increase the safety and security of our customers and personnel by increasing the department’s insight into ongoing threats and potential terrorist acts through the analysis and dissemination of intelligence information. The Office of Intelligence and Analysis is comprised of sworn detectives and non-sworn analytical personnel that enhance the security and safety of the Amtrak system, customers, and personnel through the real-time exchange of intelligence, investigative, and threat information across the country. The counter-terrorism analytical component support these operations through the review of classified federal briefings, as well as the preparation of analytical reports that provide analysis on threats, special events, and VIP movements.

The Criminal Intelligence component of the Office of Intelligence and Analysis provides timely and accurate tactical, strategic, administrative, and operational intelligence of analysis of crime data in support of the agency’s goals and customer-oriented policing efforts. The crime analysts are responsible for monitoring criminal activity and communicating that information to the sworn personnel through analytical reports designed to enhance criminal suppression activities while also aiding the investigative process and apprehension of offenders. The analysts develop daily, monthly, quarterly, and ad hoc reports to the command staff specifically designed to aid in the intelligence-led deployment efforts of the department.

Office of Professional Responsibilities

The integrity and reputation of any police agency is its most valuable asset. Transparency and impartial treatment builds confidence and trust in an agency’s ability to fairly and impartially serve and protect those they serve. The APD Office of Professional Responsibilities (OPR) is a key spoke in the cog, which drives APD in its mission of making a positive difference in the protection and security of America’s railroad community. The OPR upholds the agency’s standards of integrity and professional responsibility and overseas administrative investigations relating to the conduct of departmental personnel. The OPR records and investigates all allegations of misconduct by APD employees generated from within the department or outside sources.

Support Operations

Support Operations provides myriad critical functions to sustain, enhance and refine the activities of the APD. Support Operations personnel act in various capacities, including maintaining central records for sworn personnel, records management, data analysis, research and planning, training, uniform and equipment purchasing and soliciting vendors for various products and services vital to continued operations. The unit’s vital work is a key component in ensuring the Department’s patrol functions are provided with the tools required for their day-to-day operations.

Public Affairs and Administration

Public Affairs and Administration is responsible for a wide array of functions that supports the APD that include: Developing, implementing, monitoring and overseeing staffing of sworn and civilian personnel, overtime earnings, pay increases, the Asset Forfeiture program, and personnel/organization changes. Developing and distributing employee and customer-facing security communication materials, employee training programs, and maintaining the APD public websites. Distributing rail safety videos and materials to law enforcement, dispatchers, first responders, schools, driver’s education programs, trucking businesses and farm associations, and maintaining the stayoffthetracks.org website to share railroad safety messaging on a national, state and local level. Partnering with federal, state, and local government, not-for-profit organizations, and fellow law enforcement agencies to raise employee and public awareness of the crime of human trafficking, and managing the Operation RAILSAFE training program, which is held in numerous locations across the U.S. every year to strengthen coordination and integration between Amtrak Police law enforcement, emergency management, and first responder partners.

Corporate Security

Corporate Security provides oversight of Amtrak’s Security Project Management Office, develops and manages departmental operating and capital budgets, implements administrative controls, including human capital management, and oversees Amtrak’s SMART ID Program.

National Communications Center

Amtrak’s National Communications Center (NCC) is the coordination center for the Amtrak Police Department.

NCC Communications Officers answer calls and respond to text messages from the APD11 "txt-a-tip" system, and dispatches officers as needed to respond to incidents and events throughout the country.

Amtrak’s National Communications Center ensures that officers are on scene as needed when a request for police response is made.