GSN Dec 2015/Jan 2016 Digital Edition

Airport police support legislative efforts
to tighten internal security, with complete
employee screening
LOS ANGELES, CA, December 9
- The American Alliance of Airport
Police Officers (AAAPO) supports
legislation introduced by Senator
Bill Nelson (D- FL), Ranking Member
of the Senate Commerce, Science,
& Transportation Committee,
to strengthen internal security at our
nation’s airports.
The Senator’s Airport Security Enhancement
and Oversight Act calls
for increased screening of aviation
employees and increased oversight
of employees’ secure access badges.
While these proposals are important
to enhancing airport safety, the most
comprehensive solution to fortifying
security at major airports is to immediately
begin performing 100%
screening of all airport employees,
including TSA, and their belongings.
As the AAAPO noted in its 2012 letter
to then TSA Administrator John
Pistole, the most effective way to keep
the public safe is by conducting total
screening of every employee and their
backpacks, purses, bags, etc. Given
that passengers are already subject to
these screening procedures, it is within
reason to expect the same security
standards for airport employees and
TSA.
The Russian Metrojet bombing incident,
which is suspected
to have been
carried out by an
airport employee,
exemplifies the dangers
of the “insider”
threat. Here at
home, in December
of last year, a gun
smuggling scheme
at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International
Airport allowed an airline employee
to bring guns into secure parts
of the airport, while a former airline
employee transported the guns on
flights made between Atlanta and
New York, again highlighting the ongoing
internal security vulnerabilities
at our nation’s airports.
Incidents like the Atlanta gun
smuggling ring are possible because
at many major airports employees are
permitted to enter the airport property
via a rudimentary metal turnstile
that is located immediately off
the aeronautical side of the airport
with easy access to waiting airplanes.
For example, at JFK, the turnstile entrance
point only requires the employee
to swipe their badge and enter
a code-no biometrics are used and
there is no physical screening of the
employee or the bags, purses, etc., the
18
employee brings into
the airport. Without
a nationwide standard
regarding the
screening of airport
employees at major
airports, such security
gaps will continue
to pose dangers to
the traveling public.
In this regard, the AAAPO supports
Senator Nelson’s efforts to improve
security at our country’s airports and
calls on Congress to immediately
implement public policy that requires
the screening of all airport employees,
including TSA.
The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers
Association (LAAPOA) represents
the sworn police officers and
firefighters of the Los Angeles Airport
Police Department assigned to
protect and serve Los Angeles International
Airport (LAX), LA/Ontario
International Airport (ONT) and
Van Nuys Airport (VNY). For more
information on LAAPOA, please visit
laapoa.com.
The American Alliance of Airport
Police Officers (AAAPO) is comprised
of rank-and-file airport police