(The following appeared on the Progressive Railroading website on November 13.)
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) recently sent legislation to the nation’s governors that aims to protect state authorities against “scam” railroad police personnel.
If enacted by states, the legislation would ensure that “only individuals employed by actual railroad carriers, as defined by federal rail safety laws and confirmed in writing by the FRA administrator, are commissioned by state authorities to serve as railroad police officers,” according to the FRA.
In addition, the “model” state law would set minimum railroad police officer qualifications, such as passing a criminal background check and clearing a FBI fingerprint analysis.