Leahy, Hatch and Biden Propose Bill To Boost Security On Rail Lines

June 18, 1999

The Chairman and Democratic Leader of the Senate Judiciary Committee have introduced legislation that would enhance the crime-fighting capability of Amtrak and other railroad police officers by allowing them to train at the nation's preeminent law enforcement center.

Citing the increasing sophistication of criminals who target or use railroads, Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.), the Ranking Member of the Judiciary Committee, said railroad police officers should be eligible to train at the FBI's National Academy at Quantico, Va. -- just like their federal, state and local counterparts with whom they routinely work on crimes involving railways. Leahy was joined in introducing his bill Thursday by Judiciary Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and by Sen. Joseph Biden (D-Del.).

"Those who police our railways deserve access to the best training available," said Leahy. "This is a common-sense measure that offers the benefits of FBI training to railway police officers who are on the front lines against increasingly sophisticated criminals."

The FBI can only offer their training at their National Academy to federal, state and local law enforcement personnel. Police officers employed by railroads are not allowed to attend the Academy despite the fact that they work closely with other law enforcement agencies on numerous cases, such as drug smuggling, illegal alien smuggling and railroad accidents due to sabotage. Railroad police officers who attend the FBI Academy for training would be required to pay for their own room, board and transportation.

Leahy pointed out that whenever a railroad accident or derailment occurs, railroad police are often among the first on the scene -- and then work closely with their law enforcement counterparts in federal, state and local government -- to determine the cause of the incident. In addition, the railways are increasingly popular way to smuggle illegal immigrants into the United Stages. For example, according to recent congressional testimony, in 1998 alone, 33,715 illegal aliens were found using the railways in the United States.

The Leahy-Hatch-Biden bill is supported by the FBI, the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the National Railroad Passenger Corporation. The bill is cosponsored by Sens. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) and Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.)