TOPIC: Re: Csx Police***
 PK> In a message to ALL dated 06-06-97 MIKE MCCANN wrote:
 MM>> with some Jeep Vherokees in the mix. These vehicles can be titled
 MM>> anywhere in the US and Special Agents have federal+ authority with
 MM>> basically the same arrest powers of any peacer officer in his
 MM>> jurisdiction in any jurisdiction that the railrod has a business
 MM>> interest in.
 PK>  Railroad Police ("special agents") do not have any "Federal
 PK>  authority" although those of railroads along the Mwexican border
 PK>  assist the Border Patrol (and vice versa) from time to time under
 PK>  unwritten agreements.
 PK>  Railroad Police are "commissioned" peace officers in the various
 PK>  states that they operate in, with powers varying according
 PK>  to state law.  In general, they have investigatory and
 PK>  enforcement (arrest) powers on the right of way and anywhere
 PK>  else for crimes committed against the railroad.  Each individual
 PK>  officer must have an individual commission in each state.
 PK>  Securing these commissions and their renewal is one of the main
 PK>  functions of the Chief Special Agent's office.
 PK>  (Above courtesy of a retired Chief Special Agent, Southern
 PK>  Pacific Railroad).
I stand by every word I wrote .  I am a recently retired
CSX railroad police officer and keep in touch with activ fellow officers.
Before that I was same for ICGRR .
I have to wonder how long your source has been retired.  his informtion is
stale and absolutely incorrect as of a coule of years ago when the law  was
enacted through efforts of many hardworking actors like Carl Ball ATSF and 
ne
of
my former bosses Tom Fogarty of the ICGRR who BTW was president of the
International Association of Chiefa of police for a while.
Laws change BTWI held state commissions at retirement in IL, KY, and TN and
per common practice by working "under"" commissions of other officer s worked
in other states in strikes,investigatons, stakeouts, etc.
the new law provides that as long as the officer is "certified in any state,
the  federal authority is in force.  We have come a long way from Bat
Masterson and the Pinkertons of the old days.
In the burgeoning expansions of the 1800's RR special agents (first to use
that title for peace officers) were frequently contracted out by employing
railroads to keep peace inthe locales.  We have an interesting history.
The federal authority is authorized under federal law and regulated under DOT
and any currently working railroad police officer of any class one railroad
or the DOT should be able not only verify the law but give you statute number
of of commission card.
This isn't a contest but fact in a changing world.  City cops normally end at
cororate line (though I know many exceptions, County at county linw, state at
state borders, but the RR crosses all with the authority I mentioned.
The federal train wreck statute of 1946 was long ago CSX padges were changed
from "shields" to the Federal star last year and tge "uniform shirt has the
sane emblem, as well as the marked vehicles.  A bit of railroad fact.:
In Chicago, only officers with a "star" were/are recognized as people that
have arrwst powers, and CSX had to issue stars to officers working there. I
carried one, also BO shield in East St. Louis, and an ICG gold star in East
St. Louis and theCSX shield in Nashville, TN When the CR merger is complete,
there will probably be a change again.
If your source has any of his old badges he wants to dispose of, let me know
Carl Ball himself hs an emailddress at AOL and lists himself as a
railroadpolice consultant. you might check with him if you douby my word.
Arrests and enforcement can be made on or off property now, as before.  he
only change was to broaden jurisdictional functionality. IF we did not keep
RR best interests as focus we would become unemployed rapidly and bacik to in
general lower paying public jobs
CSX now require a four year college degree and prior law enforcement
experience.  Special Agents are paid very well with extensive benefit
packages and good vacation packages but you will find most public officers
are not interested in these jobs because of the lack of functions they "like
doing and the dangers involved.
I replaced anICGRR special agent shot and killed in an ambush in 79in East 
St. 
Louis
and in 83 I was victim of a departmental downsize and went to BORR to replace
a Road Patrolman gutshot in a burglary
It's not a safe job t all. a couple of years ago one of our CSX ofggicers was
beaten to death by a prison he hd arrested in a metals theft
 These are not generally union jobs and the work and hours rigorous and
 varied. Burglary, theft, robbery,strikes. and assist to other departments
 cane isatntly change to a widespread corporate embezzlement investigation.
 Each nd every tool of a public officer is available to a railroad officer
 including even wiretaps when necessary. NCIC is as close as his rdio and CSX
 PCC center has aterminalthat can be accessed via cellphone or company radio
 links . as well as radio communications with local jurisdictions.
 We in fact train at many acadamies in our fields of expertise.
 Drawing on my experiences and arrsts, I'll list some of carrsts that are com
monplace or stand out:
trespassing
theft , minor and major
drugs
alcohol
prostitution
kidnapping
wanted persons
arson
vehicle citations
embezzlement
gambling
real estate criminal encroachment
extortion
fraud
vendor fraud
rule volations
workmans comp fraud  I know FELA fraud
shoottings and stbbings
murder
and if there is a crime, it happens on railroad
and I know of only one place on CSX where  the tracks run behind and close to
mansions Brentwood, TN generally tracks are in less desirble areas and the
local population to match. We are expensive and are not placed where not
necessary. Although I was assigned various places, I have worked and am
subject to work anywhere on my employing system as and where needed.  CSX
even had an officer in Canada...yup a real sworn mountie
Si you should be able to see that this subject is very wde indeed. and
dynamic, not stagnant.
Thetrains keep on rolling.
MIKE MCCANN
 * Silver Xpress V4.3 SW12548
--- Maximus/2 3.01
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