Federal Police Presence: Airport Security And You

Airport security is a significant concern for airports worldwide, and airport police play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and security of passengers, staff, and assets. Airport police units are responsible for maintaining law and order within airport premises, including the building, parking lots, and adjacent land. They are typically responsible for patrol, investigation, traffic flow management, and responding to emergencies. In some cases, airport police are branches of larger law enforcement agencies, and their roles may overlap with federal security directives, airline security programs, and passenger screening. Airport police officers generally undergo similar training and meet the same requirements as city or state police officers, including the right to carry firearms and make arrests. The presence of airport police is essential to address various challenges, such as theft, assaults, and intoxicated travellers, ensuring a safe and secure environment for all stakeholders.

Airport police vs. regular police

Airport police are a security police agency that provides law enforcement at airports. They are responsible for a wide range of duties, including patrol, investigation, traffic flow management, and emergency response. They are often found at security gates, throughout terminal areas, and around airport perimeters. In some cases, airport police are branches of larger agencies, and their officers may be cross-trained in fire safety, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and military units. They support federal security initiatives, enforce airport rules, and assist with crowd control.

Regular police, on the other hand, have a broader scope of responsibilities and jurisdictions. They are typically responsible for maintaining law and order within their assigned districts or cities. Their duties include crime prevention, investigating crimes, responding to emergencies, and enforcing local laws and regulations. Regular police officers may also have specialized units, such as detective units, bomb squads, and K-9 units, to handle specific types of incidents.

One key difference between airport police and regular police is their jurisdiction. Airport police are generally limited to the airport premises and its immediate surroundings. In contrast, regular police typically have a larger geographic area of responsibility, covering neighbourhoods, cities, or counties.

Another distinction is the nature of their duties. Airport police have a strong focus on aviation security, passenger safety, and maintaining the smooth operation of airport facilities. They work closely with federal agencies and aviation authorities to ensure compliance with security directives and initiatives. Regular police, on the other hand, deal with a broader spectrum of crimes and incidents, including theft, assault, traffic violations, and community-related issues.

Additionally, the types of incidents that airport police and regular police respond to may differ. Airport police are more likely to handle aviation-related emergencies, security threats, and incidents involving passengers and airport personnel. Regular police, on the other hand, may encounter a wider range of incidents, including those that occur in residential areas, commercial districts, or public spaces.

It is important to note that the specific roles and responsibilities of airport police and regular police may vary depending on the country, state, or local regulations. In some countries, airport security may be handled by the national police force or specialized airport security units within the police force. In other cases, airports may have their own dedicated police departments, separate from the regular police force.

Federal vs. local responsibilities

Airport security is a significant concern for airports worldwide, and this is especially true in the United States following the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. The security of airports is generally a shared responsibility between federal and local authorities.

Federal Responsibilities

The federal government is responsible for providing employees to search and scan both people and baggage. Federal agencies are also responsible for aviation security programmes and passenger screening. In the US, this includes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), which conducts security screenings of passengers, baggage, and cargo. TSA screeners can search travellers and their luggage, but they cannot arrest anyone.

Additionally, federal agencies like Customs and Border Protection (CBP) are responsible for border control and customs duties, including searching travellers and their belongings at the border.

Local Responsibilities

Local governments are generally responsible for providing security in and around the airport in the form of airport police. Airport police units are security police agencies assigned to perform law enforcement functions at airports. They are responsible for a wide range of duties, including patrol, investigation, traffic flow management, and responding to emergencies. They also enforce laws and ordinances and assist the general public and other law enforcement agencies when needed.

The jurisdiction of airport police typically includes the airport building, parking lots, and adjacent land. They handle crimes such as theft, assault, and dealing with intoxicated travellers.

In some cases, airport police are branches of larger general-purpose agencies, and their officers may be cross-trained in fire safety, emergency medical services, law enforcement, and even military units.

International Variations

The specific security arrangements at airports can vary from country to country. For example, in Singapore, the Singapore Police Force operates the Airport Police Division, which is responsible for law enforcement at Changi Airport and Seletar Airport. In Australia, the Australian Federal Police and Border Force officers are responsible for security at major airports.

In Germany, the Federal Police provide security at international airports and major railway stations, while in the United Kingdom, local territorial police forces generally provide armed patrols to each airport.

Training and requirements

The presence of federal police at airports is a crucial aspect of ensuring the safety and security of passengers, staff, and aircraft. These law enforcement officers undergo specialized training and must meet stringent requirements to effectively carry out their duties. Here is an overview of the training and requirements for federal police officers serving at airports:

Training:

Federal law enforcement personnel are required to undergo comprehensive training to prepare them for their roles in airport security. The Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC), established in 1970, plays a pivotal role in providing standardized and high-quality training. FLETC offers both basic and advanced training programs to law enforcement officers from various agencies and levels. The training curriculum covers a wide range of topics essential for airport security, including:

• Criminal investigation
• Customs and border protection
• Immigration enforcement
• Land management
• Rural policing
• Uniformed police duties
• Active shooter response
• Advanced forensics
• Marksmanship
• Arrest techniques
• Defensive tactics

FLETC also provides specialized training for different branches of law enforcement, such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), Federal Air Marshal Service, and Customs and Border Protection. This specialized training ensures that officers are equipped with the knowledge and skills specific to their areas of responsibility within airport security.

Requirements:

The requirements to become a federal law enforcement officer at an airport vary depending on the specific agency and role. However, there are some general requirements that are typically applicable:

• U.S. citizenship
• Minimum age of 21 years
• Good physical and mental health, free from conditions that might impair job performance
• Successful completion of a basic law enforcement training program
• Minimum of four years of law enforcement experience
• Good standing with no significant disciplinary issues or revocations by the TSA
• Passing relevant firearms qualifications
• Completion of mandatory training, such as DHS Insider Threat Training
• Maintenance of eligibility through certifications such as Lautenberg Certification and Title 18 U.S.C. 922 (g) Certification

Federal law enforcement officers at airports must also adhere to strict protocols regarding the carriage of weapons. They are required to be directly employed by a government agency and authorized by that agency to carry a weapon in connection with their assigned duties. Additionally, they must meet all federal qualifications to fly armed and may need to present operational needs for accessible weapons during air travel.

Airport security after 9/11

Airport security has changed significantly since the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. Prior to 9/11, anyone could enter the secure area of an airport, regardless of whether they were travelling or not. Security checkpoints were relatively relaxed, with passengers not required to remove shoes, belts, or outerwear, and there were no restrictions on liquids, gels, or aerosols.

In the aftermath of 9/11, the US government implemented a range of measures to enhance aviation security and prevent similar attacks. The Aviation and Transportation Security Act was passed, which established the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and required screening to be conducted by federal officials, with 100% checked baggage screening, an expansion of the Federal Air Marshal Service, and reinforced cockpit doors.

The TSA introduced a range of new security measures, including:

• Banning sharp items from carry-on luggage
• Implementing a liquids, gels, and aerosols restriction, limiting containers to 3.4 ounces or less
• Deploying explosives detection systems to screen all bags
• Training flight deck personnel to carry firearms
• Reinforcing cockpit doors to protect against intrusion and small-arms fire
• Deploying federal air marshals overseas
• Increasing random screening of employees
• Deploying more canine patrols
• Strengthening air cargo security
• Enhancing identity verification standards
• Deploying more trained security officers in bomb appraisal and screening by observation techniques
• Installing advanced imaging technology units, or "full-body scanners," to detect non-metallic weapons, explosives, and other threats
• Implementing pre-screening for all domestic air carrier flights using the Secure Flight system
• Prohibiting printer cartridges in carry-on baggage
• Launching the TSA PreCheck® expedited screening program for known and trusted travellers
• Deploying automated screening lanes with radio-frequency identification tags and cameras
• Requiring passengers to place all personal electronics larger than a cell phone in bins for X-ray screening
• Testing CT scanners, a state-of-the-art 3-D technology, at select airport checkpoints

Airport police units also play a crucial role in airport security. These are law enforcement agencies assigned to perform a range of duties, including patrol, investigation, traffic flow management, and response to emergencies. They work in collaboration with other agencies, such as Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the TSA, to ensure the safety of airport employees, passengers, and the general public.

Crimes at airports

Most airport crimes are prosecuted in state court, but some are prosecuted in federal court. Crimes that occur at airports often result in both federal and state violations. Federal crimes at airports include possession of a concealed weapon, disruptive behaviour, assault of an airline worker, and drug possession. Other commonly prosecuted airport-related offenses include drug smuggling, shoplifting, theft, and driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs on airport property.

After the September 11, 2001 attacks, airport security efforts were increased, with the TSA employing more advanced technologies to detect forbidden items, such as loaded firearms, knives, explosives, or other weapons. Despite these efforts, crimes at airports have doubled in recent years, with an increase in vehicle crime and weapons offenses. For example, in England and Wales, there were 5,234 crimes recorded at or near airports in 2017, compared to 2,432 in 2015.

To prevent becoming a victim of airport crime, travelers should be aware of common scams and remain vigilant. It is important to keep bags in physical contact at all times and to avoid leaving them unattended. Additionally, when filling out ID tags, it is recommended to use an office address or a phone number instead of a home address.

Frequently asked questions