Why does Amtrak have their own Police? UP Police do not enforce laws on Amtrak trains. If someone was assaulted on a train in Emeryville and the train didn't stop until Oakland who's jurisdiction would it be? Which county or which city? Most plcommunites don't have the resources or money to police railroads. Who is going to prosecute it? Why do many school districts, parks, convention centers, and community colleges in California have their own poice department? Why do so many airports and transit agencies have their own police?

They were pulling your leg if they told you their beat was CA to Chicago. Amtrak has police officers based in different parts of the country who are commissioned in the states they reside in. They do ride trains nut that but how effective would a police officer be if he rode a train all the time? If a crime occurs somewhere else on the property how is that officer going to respond and investigate that crime in an effective manner if he is stuck on a train. Amtrak has its own police based in chicago and other parts of Illinois and well as many other parts of the country. They may travel occasionally for training and special assignments but they don't drive their cars back and forth across the country.