TRAINING
A new railroad
guidebook for NJ
law enforcement
New Jersey is a very densely
populated state and is historical-
ly one of the richest areas for rail-
road activity, carrying everything
from commuters on NJ Transit to
long-haul vacationers on Amtrak.
A massive amount of freight is
delivered to our ports and ware-
houses via rail. Our network of
trains, tracks, tunnels and bridg-
es is vast. Police work is inher-
ently dangerous, but if you add
in the aspect of working on or
along railroad tracks, you’ve real-
ly changed the ball game.
A new guidebook has been
compiled to assist everyone in
police work while investigating
crimes and motor vehicle incidents involving railroads and rail-
road property. The New Jersey Railroad Law Enforcement Guide is
the creation of Special Agent Thomas Jedic of the Norfolk Southern
Railroad Police-Elizabeth, NJ Command. Special Agent Jedic spent
more than 30 years in New Jersey law enforcement and continued
to work in the field for Norfolk Southern as a Uniformed FTO-Fire-
arms Officer and member of their Special Operations Response
Team.
In 2012, when Jedic was brought on to Norfolk Southern, he al-
ready had quite a bit of railroad knowledge. Even he admits, though,
“There’s quite a bit to learn when it comes to safety and investiga-
tions on the railroad[s].”
Safety on the railroad is a top priority, and this guidebook was
written by Jedic in an effort to help law enforcement officers
throughout New Jersey utilize the correct statutes and laws. It will
help educate them about railroad signs, equipment and specific
mobile apps that can improve safety and efficiency when working
on any railroad-related incident. The easy-to-use guide has a list
of all New Jersey railroads in case of an emergency. It also provides
websites for additional resource and training materials, with a link
to the New Jersey Operation Lifesaver home page and Federal Rail-
road Administration database.
The booklet is being supplied to all law enforcement agencies
that desire one at no cost. A field version will be made in a size easy
to fit in your duty bag or glove box. The guide will also be main-
tained on the NJOL website as a living document that can be edited
when the need arises, expanded or copied on demand. Several rail-
road groups have assisted in the compilation, and the New Jersey
Short Line Railroad Association has stepped up as the main finan-
cial backer on the project. Distribution will be handled statewide
by New Jersey Operation Lifesaver and Special Agent Jedic.
For any inquiries, contact:
Special Agent Thomas J. Jedic
Norfolk Southern Railroad Police
Police Specialist-FTO Area 4
Special Operations Response Team
322 Third Street
Elizabeth, NJ 07206
[email protected] d
www.njcopsmagazine.com
■ MARCH 2018 75