All applications submitted with a non-current application revision date (8/21) or without the required fee, will not be accepted and will be returned.
All applicants are REQUIRED to sign and date the FBI PRIVACY ACT STATEMENT
PRIOR TO SUBMITTING THEIR FINGERPRINTS
The Maryland Railroad Police Act defines a railroad company as a railway company or corporation engaged as a common carrier in the furnishing or sale of transportation subject to Subtitle IV of Title 49 of the United States Code. A railroad police officer is an individual appointed by the Governor to act as the police officer for a railroad company. As such, there are no renewal processes related.
Where to Mail Applications
Maryland State Police
Licensing Division
1111 Reisterstown Road
Pikesville, MD 21208
Attn.: Railroad Police Unit
Who Should Apply?
The Maryland Railroad Police Act states that each railroad company located wholly or partly in the State may apply for the appointment of railroad police officers:
- to protect property, patrons, passengers, tenants, employees, equipment, and services; and
- to preserve peace and order on railroad premises, easements, appurtenant property, trains, cars, and other vehicles.
To qualify for appointment to act as a railroad police officer under this subtitle, an applicant shall be an individual who:
- shall be of good moral character;
- may not have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;
- shall be at least 21 years old;
- be a full-time police officer employed by a railroad company on July 1, 1979; or
- meet all the educational and training requirements required by the Police Training Commission.
How To Apply
The Maryland State Police will only accept applications completed electronically on the PDF form(s) provided below under Documents for initial applications. Please answer all questions accurately, completely and honestly. Once completed, the PDF form should be printed, signed, and mailed.
Mail the application packet to the Licensing Division at the address provided above. Allow 90 days for the completion of the application process.
All original applications require FBI and CJIS fingerprint submissions. Additionally, applicants must submit two (2) color passport type photographs of the applicant (2"x2" square, light background, head and shoulder full face, no hat, no dark glasses). The photographs must be taken within the last 30 days.
How Much Does It Cost?
The fee for an initial application is $160, as established in COMAR 29.04.03.01. (Note: as of 9/4/2013, the COMAR website is outdated and the address listed there is not correct; please reference the more up-to-date address information found on this site instead.) Fees are not refundable. Fees must be paid by check or money order made payable to the Maryland State Police.
When Should I Renew?
There is no renewal associated with this appointment. An appointment issued under this subtitle remains in effect until:
- terminated by the railroad company that employs the railroad police officer; or
- revoked for cause by the Governor.
Employment of a railroad police officer ends on the retirement, resignation, or termination of the railroad police officer; the powers granted to a railroad police officer under this subtitle end when the employment of the railroad police officer ends; and within 10 days after the employment of a railroad police officer ends, the railroad company that employed the railroad police officer shall file notice with the Governor that the employment has ended.
Frequently Asked Questions
