Amtrak Police Department
Federal Law Enforcement Hiring Guide
The Amtrak Police Department is the law enforcement agency for Amtrak, the national passenger rail system. Amtrak Police officers have federal law enforcement authority and protect passengers, employees, and property at train stations and onboard trains throughout the Amtrak network. Officers may be assigned to major stations in cities like Washington D.C., New York, Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles.
The APD Hiring Process
7 steps, approximately 3–9 months. Here's exactly what to expect.
Application
1–2 weeksApply through Amtrak's careers portal or USAJobs. A high school diploma is required; prior law enforcement or military experience is preferred.
Written Assessment
Scheduled within 30–60 daysA written test assessing reading comprehension, situational judgment, and basic cognitive aptitude for law enforcement.
Structured Interview
1–2 hoursA panel interview with Amtrak Police supervisors and HR evaluating communication, customer service orientation, integrity, and law enforcement aptitude.
Physical Fitness Test
2–3 hoursA pre-employment fitness test covering strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular endurance consistent with police officer standards.
Medical Examination
1–2 daysComprehensive medical exam including vision, hearing, cardiovascular, and drug/alcohol screening.
Background Investigation
2–4 monthsA thorough background investigation covering criminal history, employment, financial, and personal history.
Police Academy Training
~6 monthsAmtrak Police recruits attend a state-certified police academy (location varies by region) or the Amtrak Police training program covering patrol, firearms, defensive tactics, and railroad-specific procedures.
What You Need to Know
📋 Key Facts for Recruits
Amtrak Police officers have jurisdiction on Amtrak trains and at Amtrak-served stations across 46 states.
Unlike most federal agencies, Amtrak Police uses a state-certified police academy — requirements vary by region.
Amtrak is a federally chartered corporation, so Amtrak Police are not traditional federal employees — benefits differ from GS employees.
Officers at major hub stations (Penn Station NYC, Union Station D.C., Chicago Union Station) deal with high-volume, complex environments.
Amtrak Police is one of the more accessible entry points into federal law enforcement without a college degree requirement.
✅ Process Requirements
Fitness Standards
Failing the physical fitness test ends your candidacy. Most agencies don't allow retakes for months.
Amtrak Police Physical Fitness Test
Standard police officer physical ability standards — strength and cardiovascular minimum requirements
BadgePrep Fitness Prep
BadgePrep includes a 12-week fitness plan calibrated to APD's specific test events. Know the standard. Train to exceed it.
Get Your Fitness Plan →What Gets People Rejected
These are the most common reasons candidates are disqualified or eliminated from the Amtrak Police hiring process. Avoid every one of them.
Assuming Amtrak Police is not 'real' federal law enforcement — officers have full law enforcement authority and carry firearms.
Criminal history that includes any violent offenses or drug distribution charges.
Failing drug testing: the medical exam includes a drug screen and Amtrak has a safety-sensitive drug-free workplace policy.
Not demonstrating customer service skills in the interview — unlike most federal LEO roles, Amtrak Police has a strong public-facing service component.
Not researching the specific duty station's environment before the interview — a NYC Penn Station officer handles very different situations than a Chicago assignment.
Ready to Compete for a Amtrak Police Position?
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