Captain of Police
Location: Bedford Park, Illinois
The Belt Railway Company of Chicago (BRC) is seeking a Captain of Police to serve as the senior operational commander of our Police Department. Reporting directly to the Chief of Police, this role acts as the Chief's principal assistant, directing the day-to-day operations of the department while ensuring the safety and security of railroad employees, property, freight, critical infrastructure, and the public.
The Captain provides leadership across patrol operations, criminal investigations, emergency management, regulatory compliance, training, budgeting, and departmental administration — and acts on behalf of the Chief of Police in his or her absence, exercising independent judgment during critical incidents affecting railroad operations. Given the specialized nature of railroad policing, this role requires extensive knowledge of Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) regulations, railroad operations, and the unique public safety challenges of the railroad industry.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Department Leadership
- Assist the Chief of Police in the administration and operation of the Police Department
- Direct daily police operations across all shifts
- Supervise Lieutenants, Sergeants, and Patrol Officers
- Develop operational objectives and departmental performance standards
- Recommend policies, procedures, and strategic initiatives
- Evaluate employee performance and oversee disciplinary actions
- Coordinate staffing and scheduling to support 24-hour railroad operations
Railroad Police Operations
- Direct police operations involving railroad property, right-of-way enforcement, rail yards, intermodal facilities, bridges, and critical infrastructure
- Oversee criminal investigations involving cargo theft, trespassing, vandalism, employee assaults, grade crossing incidents, and other crimes affecting railroad operations
- Coordinate with railroad operating departments during service disruptions and emergencies
- Develop security plans for special railroad events and critical infrastructure
FRA Regulatory Compliance Maintain departmental compliance with applicable FRA regulations, including:
- FRA accident/incident reporting (Forms 6180.54, 6180.55, 6180.55a, 6180.57, 6180.71, 6180.78, 6180.81, 6180.97, and 6180.98)
- AIRGNET reporting
- Grade crossing investigations
- FRA safety investigations
- Hazardous material incident notifications (Form DOT F 5800.1)
- Documentation required during FRA compliance audits (Form 6180.56)
Serve as a departmental resource on railroad regulatory compliance and reporting requirements.
Drug and Alcohol Program Administration Provide oversight and support for the department's DOT/FRA Drug and Alcohol Testing Program, including:
- Designated Employer Representative (DER) and Assistant DER responsibilities
- Reasonable Suspicion determinations and Reasonable Cause testing
- Post-Accident and random testing programs
- Cross-departmental communication to maintain and verify the random selection roster
- Return-to-Duty and follow-up testing
- FRA audit preparation and policy development
Emergency Management
- Command major incidents
- Coordinate responses involving derailments, hazardous materials, active threats, natural disasters, and critical infrastructure incidents
- Coordinate with federal, state, county, municipal, and railroad agencies
Administrative Responsibilities
- Prepare departmental budgets and monitor expenditures
- Develop and maintain departmental and organization-wide policies to mitigate risk and improve operations
- Prepare executive reports and conduct internal investigations
- Review use-of-force incidents
- Oversee departmental training
- Assist Human Resources with hiring and promotional processes
- Ensure continuous regulatory compliance and maintain accreditation records for department staff
External Relations Represent the Police Department with:
- Federal Railroad Administration, Transportation Security Administration, FBI, and Department of Homeland Security
- Local police departments, county sheriff's offices, and state police
- Federal law enforcement agencies and railroad industry partners
- Cook County State's Attorney's Office and Cook County Medical Examiner's Office
What We're Looking For
Education
- Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Emergency Management, or a related field preferred
Experience
- Minimum 10 years of sworn law enforcement experience
- Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible supervisory experience
- Prior command-level experience preferred
- Experience with internal affairs investigations
Highly Desired Experience
- Previous service as a Railroad Police Lieutenant or Captain
- Experience serving as a Designated Employer Representative (DER) for FRA-regulated employees
- Experience with FRA AIRGNET reporting and accident/incident reporting
- Experience coordinating with railroad operating departments, General Counsel, Risk Management, and Safety
- Experience developing railroad police policies and standard operating procedures
- Experience managing railroad emergency response and regulatory compliance programs
- Experience supervising union and management employees in a railroad environment
Required Knowledge Extensive working knowledge of FRA regulations and reporting (accident, AIRGNET, compliance audits), railroad operations, terminology, and safety rules, railroad emergency and hazardous materials response, grade crossing and cargo theft investigations, railroad trespass enforcement and property security, DOT drug and alcohol regulations, DER/Assistant DER responsibilities, and ICS/NIMS frameworks.
Required Skills Demonstrated ability to lead a police organization, make sound decisions during emergencies, supervise criminal investigations, manage multiple priorities, build productive relationships with railroad management and public safety agencies, prepare executive-level reports, deliver presentations, develop departmental policies, interpret federal regulations, and exercise sound judgment under pressure.
Certifications
Required:
- Illinois Law Enforcement Certification (or ability to obtain railroad police commission)
- Valid driver's license
- National Certification as an Internal Affairs Investigator/Supervisor
- Ability to obtain Secret Clearance
- CPR/AED Certification
Preferred:
- Designated Employer Representative (DER) training
- FRA regulatory training
- Railroad police commission
- Hazardous Materials Incident Command training
- FEMA emergency management certifications
Security Requirements Applicants must be able to successfully complete an extensive background investigation, pass all pre-employment screening requirements, maintain required railroad security credentials, maintain eligibility for access to secure railroad facilities, and be eligible to obtain and maintain any company-required security clearances.
Work Environment
This position requires work in both office and field environments, including active rail yards, locomotive facilities, intermodal terminals, bridges, industrial facilities, and outdoor environments in all weather conditions. Must be available 24 hours a day for emergency response.
Why Join BRC
The Captain of Police plays a critical leadership role at one of North America's busiest switching railroads — leading a specialized railroad police agency responsible for protecting critical transportation infrastructure while ensuring compliance with federal regulations and supporting safe railroad operations.
Pay & Benefits
Hiring salary range: $120,000 – $149,000, based on skills and experience
This position is also eligible for participation in the annual Incentive Compensation Plan, subject to plan terms and eligibility requirements, as well as:
- 401(k) with company matching
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Health savings account
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Pension and retirement plan
- Paid Time Off
- Tuition reimbursement
A Note on Our Hiring Process
BRC may use or rely on third-party service providers (such as Indeed) that utilize automated tools or artificial intelligence to help screen applicants. These tools may assist in reviewing application materials as part of our hiring process. If you require a reasonable accommodation or would like more information about the use of these tools, please contact BRC Human Resources.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $149,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Retirement plan
- Tuition reimbursement
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
