Canadian Pacific Kansas City Police Service

The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Police Service (CPKC Police Service), formerly known as the Canadian Pacific Police Service (CPPS), is a private railway police force responsible for enforcing safety and security on Canadian Pacific Kansas City properties and rail lines in both Canada and the United States, including specific sections of the Milton line of GO Transit in the Greater Toronto Area.
== Historical Background: ==
The Canadian Pacific Kansas City Police Service boasts a rich history as one of the oldest police services in Canada. Formerly known as the Canadian Pacific Police Service and CP Railway Police, it has played a vital role in Canada's history. Railway police officers have been called upon for decades to oversee railway towns and maintain peace during the construction of the Canadian Railways, connecting the country from coast to coast. This historical legacy continues, upholding the tradition of safeguarding Canada's extensive railway network.
In past years, their numbers had been reduced to fewer than 100 officers across Canada. However, they are currently in the process of expanding their ranks across the nation. CPKC Police officers are also deployed across the CPKC Rail System in the United States.
=== Mandate: ===
The Canadian Pacific Police Service holds responsibility for all aspects of railway security. These officers are duly appointed and equipped as federal police officers, deriving their authority in Canada from the Railway Safety Act and other relevant legislation.
Under the federal Railway Safety Act, any federal railway has the authority to appoint officers as police constables. These police constables are vested with the full powers of regular police officers concerning the protection of railway company-owned, possessed, or administered property and the safeguarding of individuals and assets on that property. What distinguishes railway police in Canada is their unique status as the sole sworn peace officers employed by a privately owned law enforcement agency. The CPPS serves as "a fully authorized federal force, obligated to uphold Canada's laws," and its officers are licensed to carry firearms.
The primary responsibilities of a railway police officer encompass safeguarding the public using the company's facilities, protecting employees, and ensuring the security of the company's assets. This involves educating the public about trespassing, engaging in school awareness programs, investigating crimes against the railway, providing assistance to local police services, issuing citations, and fulfilling numerous other duties related to property security and building protection. CP Rail designates individual officers to oversee extensive sections of railway tracks, conducting active enforcement and public safety initiatives.
=== Leadership: ===
As of February 2020, Chief Al Sauve was at the helm of the CPKC Police Service.
=== Officers: ===
CPKC officers wear a uniform comprising a dark blue shirt, dark blue cargo pants with body armor, and they are equipped with standard police use-of-force gear. Their arsenal includes a Glock 9mm pistol, Remington 870 shotgun, and Sig Sauer M400 patrol rifle. They are issued a standard police-style forage cap. In addition to their uniformed roles, CPKC police officers may work in plain-clothes capacities when required.
In the past, the CPKC Police provided police services to various departments within CP, including union station buildings, CP Hotels, CP Ships, and CP Air. However, their primary responsibility now revolves around CP Rail, as the aforementioned CP departments have been divested.
To prepare new recruits, CPKC Police collaborates with different federal and provincial police academies, as there is no dedicated government-mandated training college for railway police in Canada. A training agreement exists between the CPKC Police and the Lethbridge Police Service, in conjunction with Lethbridge College in Alberta, to provide training to new officers. In 2010, CP Police used the Saskatchewan Municipal Police College (SKPC) for recruit training. The SKPC also offers ongoing education and specialized courses for experienced members. Prior to 2010, CP Police recruits received their basic training at the RCMP Academy located at Depot in Regina, Saskatchewan. For specialized police training, officers may attend various provincial police colleges and the Canadian Police College in Ottawa.
All CPKC Police officers are required to possess comprehensive knowledge of federal and provincial laws, as railway properties traverse multiple jurisdictions, including federal, provincial, municipal, and county domains. This ensures effective collaboration with respective police departments. The role of a railway police officer can be solitary, involving patrolling vast stretches of track with limited backup. Officers receive compensation and benefits commensurate with regular police officers in Canada. While CP Rail is a private company that pays taxes for public police protection, the size of its police department has been reduced over the decades. CPKC Police numbers have remained relatively stable at around 100 officers in both the United States and Canada. Public police departments with jurisdiction maintain overall responsibility for public safety and law enforcement within their territories, including CP Rail property. CPKC Police will provide assistance to local police as needed and conduct their own investigations. CP Rail also utilizes its police department to investigate employee conduct, particularly concerning violations of collective agreements involving alcohol and drugs, as well as addressing criminal matters.
Category:Canada
Category:Canadian Railroads