Union Pacific Special Agents & Police Dispatch
The Union Pacific Police Department Special Agents have 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.
Union Pacific Police are dispatched by a centralized dispatch center in Omaha, NE. The Response Management Communications Center (RMCC) is staffed 24x7 with dispatchers prepared to coordinate response by UP Special Agents and other UP responders.
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UPPD History
The railroad police force dates to the mid-1800s, when the number of U.S. Marshals was insufficient to police America's growing rail network. Members were called Pinkertons, named after their originator, Alan Pinkerton. Today, each Class I railroad employs Special Agents across the country to protect America’s rail network.
Role of Special Agents
Crimes investigated include trespassing on railroad rights of way, theft of railroad property, threats of terrorism and derailments.
Special Agents often take a proactive safety and security message to schools, businesses and civic organizations as well as investigate public safety incidents which occur on railroad property. They often work with local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies on issues concerning the railroad.
As with all law enforcement professionals, the Special Agent job carries with it a potential for dangerous situations. Union Pacific has created a plaque honoring fallen Special Agents who put their lives on the line for the protection of the railroad they served. Created by UP's Police Department, the plaque includes names, dates and locations of the deaths, and the railroads represented. The plaque is on public display at the Union Pacific Railroad Museum in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Additionally, the names of fallen heroes are submitted to the National Law Enforcement Memorial in Washington, DC.
Requirements to be a Union Pacific Special Agent
Applicants must have attended and graduated from an accredited Police academy, and presently meet certification requirements to be commissioned in their work location. Prior to applying for a Special Agent position, candidates must have one year experience in a public law enforcement agency or military police. A bachelor's degree in criminal justice, police science, public administration or a related field is recommended. Like other positions, Union Pacific posts Special Agent job openings on UP.jobs.
Police Dispatch - RMCC
Union Pacific’s Response Management Communications Center (RMCC) is responsible for coordinating response to emergency and non-emergency incidents across the UP system. Their mission is to effectively process emergency and non-emergency calls in order to save lives and protect property, and to help coordinate a safe response. RMCC Critical Call Dispatchers dispatch Union Pacific Special Agents, Hazmat Managers, and other UP personnel and also communicate with local law enforcement and public safety representatives throughout the entirety of incidents.
To report emergency incidents including life safety concerns, vehicles stopped on railroad tracks, hazardous materials releases, criminal activity in progress, fires, and other incidents requiring emergency response, contact the RMCC at 1-888-UPRRCOP (877-7267). Online reporting of non-emergency incidents is available at UP.com/NotifyUP.
Hearing or speech impaired using TTY equipment, dial 7-1-1 to access Telecommunications Relay Services.
CALEA Accreditation
The Union Pacific Police Department (UPPD) and Response Management Communications Center (RMCC) have both achieved and maintained accreditation through the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies (CALEA) by demonstrating compliance with the highest law enforcement and communication center standards. Initial accreditations were awarded to the UPPD in 2014 and to the RMCC in 2013, each undergoing individual annual reviews to maintain accreditation. Only a small percentage of U.S. law enforcement agencies and emergency communications centers have achieved the gold standard of CALEA accreditation.
Anyone wishing to provide comments regarding the agency's compliance with CALEA standards, engagement in the service community, delivery of public safety services, and overall candidacy for accredited status may submit comments through the CALEA public comment portal:
IMPORTANT: CALEA is not an investigatory body and subsequently the public portal should not be used to submit information for such processes. Additionally, there will be no response other than acknowledgement of submissions; however, the information will be considered in context to its relevancy related to compliance with standards and the tenets of CALEA accreditation.
Feedback
To provide feedback about service provided by a Union Pacific Special Agent or by an RMCC Critical Call Dispatcher, please call our 24-hour, toll-free number at 888-877-7267 and request to speak with a supervisor.
Comments of this nature may also be sent to:
Union Pacific Railroad Police1400 Douglas StreetMail Stop 1180Omaha, NE 68179