49 CFR § 207.5Chapter II

§ 207.5 Authority in States where officer not commissioned.

Primary source

Verbatim text below is from the Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), a public-domain U.S. government work. Always verify the current version with the eCFR before relying on it for any legal matter.

Full Text

(a) A railroad police officer who is designated by a railroad and commissioned under the laws of any state is authorized to enforce the laws (as specified in paragraph (b) of this section) of any state in which the railroad owns property and to which the railroad has provided notice in accordance with § 207.4.

(b) Under the authority of paragraph (a) of this section, a railroad police officer may enforce only relevant laws for the protection of—

(1) The railroad's employees, passengers, or patrons;

(2) The railroad's property or property entrusted to the railroad for transportation purposes;

(3) The intrastate, interstate, or foreign movement of cargo in the railroad's possession or in possession of another railroad or non-rail carrier while on the railroad property; and

(4) The railroad movement of personnel, equipment, and materials vital to the national defense.

(c) The authority exercised under this part by an officer for whom the railroad has provided notice in accordance with § 207.4 shall be the same as that of a railroad police officer commissioned under the laws of that state.

(d) The railroad police officer's law enforcement powers shall apply only on railroad property, except that an officer may pursue off railroad property a person suspected of violating the law on railroad property, and an officer may engage off railroad property in law enforcement activities, including, without limitation, investigation and arrest, if permissible under state law.

eCFR data current as of: June 10, 2026

This is legal information, not legal advice. Laws vary by jurisdiction and change frequently. Always verify current law with official sources and consult a licensed attorney in your jurisdiction for advice on your specific situation.