How To Become A Transit Police Officer: What It Is and Career Path

What is a transit police officer and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted expert

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a transit police officer. For example, did you know that they make an average of $20.21 an hour? That's $42,043 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 3% and produce 20,600 job opportunities across the U.S.

What general advice would you give to a transit police officer?

Dr. Durmus Alper CAMLIBEL Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh

They need to avoid being overzealous officers. They should not put their career at the center of their life. They need to spend quality time with their family. In law enforcement, good relations with the public and colleagues are essential. They need to develop good relationships with the people and their colleagues and expand their professional network. They always try to be a "problem solver officer" rather than a "problem creator officer." If someone asks for help from them, they should treat this person with dignity and respect. They should avoid being arrogant in their interaction with the public. Because arrogance is the worst plague, and Humility is the greatest virtue.

ScoreTransit Police OfficerUS Average

Salary

3.3

Avg. Salary $42,043

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

10.0

Growth rate 3%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

6.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.97%

Asian 2.88%

Black or African American 14.56%

Hispanic or Latino 18.78%

Unknown 4.55%

White 58.26%

Gender

female 18.95%

male 81.05%

Age - 39

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 39

Stress level

10.0

Stress level is very high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

6.0

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a transit police officer

Explore transit police officer education requirements

Most common transit police officer degrees

Bachelor's

50.0 %

Associate

25.0 %

Master's

9.4 %

Start to develop specific transit police officer skills

Skills	Percentages
Patrol	24.16%
Emergency First Aid	19.84%
Restraints	14.64%
Public Safety	8.82%
Law Enforcement	4.82%

Complete relevant transit police officer training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New transit police officers learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a transit police officer based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real transit police officer resumes.

Research transit police officer duties and responsibilities

Develop several programs including a bike rodeo for children, a poster contest emphasizing crime prevention and campus watch.
Patrol designate RTA and municipal areas to ensure fare enforcement and prevents disorder, criminal activity and acts of terrorism.
Review civilian complaints; conduct comprehensive interviews and disciplinary hearings; recommend and implement disciplinary action; handle removal of firearms.
Complete all law enforcement requirements for FTO before academy.

Prepare your transit police officer resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your transit police officer resume.

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