Frequently Asked Questions

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Under § 354.01, F.S., a Special Officer is an individual who:

• Meets the law enforcement officer qualification and training requirements of §§ 943.13 and 943.135(1), F.S.; and
   
• Is recognized for the protection and safety of a railroad or other common carrier doing business in Florida, including the carrier’s passengers, employees, and property.
   

Chapter 354 governs “Special Officers for Carriers” and applies to railroads and other qualifying common carriers operating within the State of Florida.

The statute uses the term “railroad police officer” in describing the qualifying officer under § 354.01.

However, statutory authority is based on compliance with Chapter 354 and Chapter 943 qualification standards — not on the internal job title used by a carrier.

Common carriers may use various internal titles including but not limited to (Special Police Officer, Law Enforcement Officer, Special Officer, or Security Specialist). 

What controls is whether the individual:

• Meets the required Chapter 943 qualifications and training standards; and
• Is operating within the scope of authority granted under Chapter 354.

No.

Section 354.01 expressly provides for the protection and safety of:

“any railroad or other common carrier doing business in this state.”
 

While Class I, Class II, and Class III railroads are specifically recognized as employing agencies for certain Chapter 943 purposes, Chapter 354 itself is titled “Special Officers for Carriers” and extends protection authority to railroads and other common carriers.

No. 

Special Officers under Chapter 354:

• Must meet law enforcement qualification and training standards under §§ 943.13 and 943.135(1), F.S.;
   
• Have statutory arrest authority under § 354.02;
   
• Are not regulated under Chapter 493 (private security licensing).
   

They are not general security guards.

Section 354.01 states:

“A special officer is not considered a law enforcement officer except for purposes of ss. 943.085–943.255.”
 

This means:

• They must meet Chapter 943 standards;
   
• They are treated as law enforcement officers for Chapter 943 regulatory purposes;
   
• Their authority is limited to the statutory scope of carrier protection under Chapter 354.
   

They do not exercise general municipal or county police powers.

 Under § 354.02, F.S., a Special Officer may:

• Arrest a person who has violated any law on the carrier’s property;
   
• Make such arrest on or off carrier property;
   
• Exercise such authority throughout every county in which the carrier does business, operates, or owns property;
   
• Under the same conditions under which a deputy sheriff may make arrests.
   

Authority is tied to violations involving the carrier’s property or operations.

 Chapter 354 applies to railroads and other common carriers doing business in Florida.

Carriers seeking to utilize Special Officers must ensure:

• Compliance with § 354.01 qualification requirements;
   
• Compliance with Chapter 943 law enforcement standards;
   
• Compliance with bonding requirements under § 354.03;
   
• Operation within the limits of § 354.02 authority.

 No.

Chapter 354 applies to railroads and other common carriers doing business in Florida (§ 354.01).

Only qualifying common carriers may utilize Special Officers under Chapter 354. Businesses that do not meet the legal definition of a common carrier are not eligible under this statute.

 Section 354.01 requires Special Officers to meet the law enforcement officer qualification and training requirements of §§ 943.13 and 943.135(1), F.S.

However, § 354.01 also provides that:

“A special officer is not considered a law enforcement officer except for purposes of ss. 943.085–943.255.”
 

This means:

• They must meet Chapter 943 standards;
   
• They are treated as law enforcement officers for Chapter 943 regulatory purposes;
   
• They are not general certified law enforcement officers with full statewide police authority.
   

Their authority is limited to the statutory scope of common carrier protection under Chapter 354.

 A common carrier is a person or commercial enterprise that:

• Transports passengers or goods for compensation; and
   
• Holds itself out as available to serve the general public.
   

Common carriers provide transportation services as part of their regular business operations and do not selectively contract on a case-by-case basis.

Typical examples of common carriers include:

• Railroads
   
• Bus lines
   
• Airlines
   
• Shipping companies
   
• Taxi and rideshare services (when operating as public transportation providers)
   
• Freight and parcel carriers

Chapter 354, Florida Statutes, applies to railroads and other common carriers doing business in Florida.

The statute does not apply to private carriers or businesses that do not operate as common carriers.

Whether an entity qualifies as a common carrier depends on its operational structure, public service posture, and legal classification under Florida law.

No general traffic enforcement authority exists outside the scope of carrier-related violations.
Authority under § 354.02 is tied to violations occurring on the carrier’s property. 

 Yes. Special Officers operate within Florida law and coordinate with local, county, and state law enforcement agencies when appropriate, particularly for:

• Custodial arrests
   
• Criminal investigations
   
• Major incidents
   
• Jurisdictional matters

Yes. Special Officers are subject to the same criminal laws governing use of force as any other officer or citizen under Florida law.

Yes. Where applicable under Chapter 943 standards, continuing education requirements apply. Railroads are expressly designated as employing agencies for certain 943 purposes. 

Yes. Before performing duties, a Special Officer must enter into a $5,000 bond payable to the Governor, approved by the Department of Financial Services (§ 354.03). 

Under § 354.07, a person injured by a wrongful act may bring suit on the officer’s bond.
This remedy is not exclusive of any other legal remedy available under Florida law.

Yes. Where applicable under Chapter 354, Special Officers must meet the law enforcement qualification and training requirements referenced in §§ 943.13 and 943.135(1), Florida Statutes.

These standards include minimum age, U.S. citizenship, education, fingerprinting, background investigation, moral character requirements, physical examination, and completion of approved training and examination requirements.