The UPPD is one of seven American Class I railroad law enforcement agencies, alongside those of Amtrak, BNSF, CSX, Canadian National, CPKC, and Norfolk Southern.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the UPPD, following similar cuts across Union Pacific, drastically reduced their number of on-duty Special Agents.

Like most railroad police, its primary jurisdiction is unconventional, consisting of 54,116 miles (87,091 kilometers) of track in 23 western U.S. states.

In accordance with their duties, Special Agents have the ability to access the NCIC database to run suspects and vehicles for wants and warrants, as well as criminal history checks.

Special Agents often coordinate and liaise with local, state, and federal law enforcement on issues concerning the railroad and are dispatched nationally through the Response Management Communications Center (RMCC) in Omaha, Nebraska.