The Union Pacific Police Department is seeking public input as it pursues its third accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. (CALEA), the national credentialing authority for law enforcement and other public agencies.
Union Pacific has a police department staffed with more than 220 Special Agents. Special Agents have primary jurisdiction over crimes committed against the railroad.
The department is responsible for all Union Pacific locations across 32,000 miles of track in 23 states.
Its success has served as a model for national crime management; the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation’s creation in 1907 was closely tied to the Union Pacific Police Department’s approach.
Railroad police are certified state law enforcement officers with investigative and arrest powers both on and off railroad property in most states.
They also have interstate law enforcement authority pursuant to federal law.
CALEA will conduct an on-site assessment of Union Pacific March 13-15.
“CALEA’s accreditation is the gold standard in law enforcement and we voluntarily seek its assessment to ensure we join major law enforcement agencies in meeting rigorous requirements,” said Robert Morrison, Union Pacific police chief.
“Receiving community feedback is an important part of the process and we encourage community members to share their thoughts as we demonstrate our commitment to law enforcement excellence.”
CALEA’s on-site evaluation seeks to confirm the Union Pacific Police Department maintains its rigorous standards in policy and procedures, administration, operations and support services.
The agency’s assessment process includes public comment opportunities addressing Union Pacific’s compliance to CALEA standards.
Union Pacific and CALEA encourage community members to provide feedback by calling (877) 859-9008, Tuesday, March 14, between 1 and 3 p.m. CST.
A public hearing follows at the Residence Inn-Downtown in Omaha, Nebraska, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Comments are limited to 10 minutes at both forums.
Written comments can be mailed to the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement, Inc., 13575 Heathcote Boulevard, Suite 320, Gainsville, Virginia, 22030-2215 or www.calea.org.
