The NJ TRANSIT Police Department is the only transit policing agency in the country with statewide authority and jurisdiction.

The Department was created on January 1, 1983, and it evolved as a result of the passage of the Public Transportation Act of 1979 and subsequent legislation on the state and federal levels. At that time, the original complement included thirty-nine Commissioned Rail Police Officers. On January 12, 1990, NJSA 27:25-15.1 was enacted into law, and it established the NJ Transit Police Department as a sworn law enforcement agency with the "general authority, without limitation, to exercise police powers and duties, as provided for police officers and law enforcement officers, in all criminal and traffic matters at all times throughout the State..."

Today, the NJ TRANSIT Police Department's mission is to maintain public order and safety while deterring and preventing terrorism and crime throughout the NJ TRANSIT system. NJTPD's commitment to exceptional public service serves as the foundation in leading the Department's relentless crime prevention and suppression efforts.