The main focus of department is the six-county transit operation, however due to the great distances between rail lines, off-property arrests occur on a regular basis.

Many times enforcing traffic laws around Metra stations and crossings is intended to increase awareness and citizen compliance.

In January 2014, an investigative report by the Chicago-based security consulting firm Hillard Heintze blasted the department as being "antiquated"[3] and beset with excessive overtime and staffing problems.

[4] It detailed myriad concerns about the agency's training, counter terrorism efforts and commitment to passenger safety.

Metra Police regularly participate in Chicago Office of Emergency Communications (OEMC) planning meetings for large events.

On September 27, 2006, 28-year-old Jemetric Nicholson fatally shot 43-year-old Officer Thomas A. Cook while he was working a robbery prevention detail near the 147th Street station in Harvey, Illinois.