FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION
WASHINGTON
OFFICE OF
THE CHAIRMAN
July 23, 2015
The Honorable Charles E. Schumer
United States Senate
322 Hart Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Dear Senator Schumer:
Thank you for your letter requesting that the Commission reexamine the rules governing
the radio frequency spectrum currently assigned to railroad police agencies like the Amtrak
Police Department. I wholeheartedly agree that efficient and effective communication during
emergencies is critical. Your views on this issue are very important to us.
In that regard, I recently circulated a draft Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) to
my fellow Commissioners that addresses the issue you raise. The draft NPRM builds on a
petition for rulemaking filed by the National Public Safety Telecommunications Council
(NPSTC), which urges the Commission to permit railroad police, including Amtrak police, to use
interoperability and mutual aid channels in several public safety spectrum bands for the purpose
of communicating with state and local law enforcement officials in railroad-related emergencies.
I appreciate your interest and will be happy to keep your office updated on additional
action that the Commission may take in this matter. Please let me know if I can be of any further
assistance.