Police Officers, TSA Offer Views on Screener Badges

The June 16 issue of USA Today includes a story by Thomas Frank on how some police officers are taking exception with Transportation Security Administration airport screeners wearing police-type uniforms and police-type badges.

On the one side, TSA says their transportation security officers need the uniforms and badges in garner respect from the traveling public.  On the other side, police officers say their authority is undercut by the screeners.

Whenever I hear anything law enforcement-related, I have to run it past my sister, who is a police detective in California.  So I sent her a link to the article and asked her to poll her co-workers about the TSA badges.  Here's a compilation of what they had to say about the issue:

To give airport screeners police like badges and uniforms is a grave mistake.  You are not only putting the screeners themselves in harm's way in that they will be mistaken as sworn law enforcement, but you are creating more of a safety risk to the general public. 

The public relies on law enforcement to keep them safe, period!  It is not fair that because they have mistakenly identified a "screener" as a sworn peace officer that the response to their emergency is hindered, delayed, or flat out ignored due to a lack of proper training.

Let me play devil's advocate.  Any good police officer must be able to think like the average criminal.  That's how we get into who they really are and what they are capable of.  Frankly, it allows us to mirror what type of behavior they may exhibit.  This ability comes from extensive and on going training on a quarterly basis by properly trained personnel.

If I were a criminal and it was my  intention to commit some egregious act then suffice it to say that I am going to do anything and everything possible to get away with that act.  This includes preventing any law enforcement and/or "look alike" from stopping me. 

As a criminal, all I see is the badge and the uniform.   During the commission of my crime, I cannot develop the immediate ability to ascertain if it's security or sworn police.  I'M JUST SIMPLY TRYING TO GET AWAY AND I WILL DO ANYTHING TO MAKE THAT HAPPEN.

Just as a police officer is really quite unable to differentiate the difference between a real gun and a plastic gun (in a spilt second), we are just going to protect the public and ourselves in that split second.

The bottom line is this.  Nothing good can come of the people we protect and serve not being able to differentiate between us (armed and trained very well and on a consistent and ongoing basis) and airport screeners.

Back in March, I went out to Washington National to see TSA's airport checkpoint of the future.  Included in that tour were TSOs wearing the new uniform and badge.  I did a Podcast with TSA's Christopher White and I asked about the badges.  You can listen to his 1:28-minute reply here.

And don't forget - visit us at our permanent home at www.aviationweek.com/tarmacs to get the latest airport news and analysis.

Comments

[Jon Quick]

In response to your sister's co-workers statements I would like to add this. I have also spoken to Law Enforcement Officers who work with TSA on a daily basis and here is what they say. NO PROBLEM, THEY ARE SWORN FEDERAL OFFICERS (which the public doesn't seem to be aware of)and every organization has it's misfits (example: 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE OFFICER PLACES BOMB IN AIRPORT. Los Angeles Police Rampart Division Officers convicted on corruption charges and false arrest in several hundred cases, SHALL I GO ON ?)
No matter what department you look at, there will always be bad apples and until you know the facts about who works at TSA, DON'T JUDGE.
As for me, I work 2 jobs, one as a FEDERAL OFFICER with TSA, my other job is as a Flight Attendant for the past 29 years for one of the BIG 4 u.s. airlines. I am a former deputy sheriff in california, I am a commercial pilot and also a EMT. I have an associates degree and have extensive knowledge in aviation security.
Most (about 85%) of the people I work with at TSA have either prior military, law enforcement or aviation experience and most of them have either a 2 or 4 year college degree (just like police officers).
Yes we have some bad apples and yes they do stand out and make the rest of us look bad, BUT so do many Police Departments and we still let them carry guns and wear badges. All I have to say to these officers who are so worried about FEDERAL OFFICERS getting badges is this: ARE YOU INSECURE IN YOUR JOB ?

[SgtScott31]

As an airport LEO I also work with TSA on a weekly basis. While I agree that many of them are good people with prior military or LE experience, I do not consider them "sworn" federal officers. I have never called a TSO a "federal officer." I think it is misleading to use these terms in describing them. Although I do believe they do a better job than those prior to 9/11, would you call the private contract security "sworn" officers? TSOs are Transportation "Security" Officers, nothing more, nothing less.

[John]

TSA are bag screeners, nothing more.

The pretty title with the word "officer" in it makes them feel above the public and almost like a real LEO. The plastic trinket badge will help reinforce this ideal to the bag screeners, clearly demonstrated by Mr. Quick.

[Sandy]

I don't think TSO's are just baggage screeners, I believe they do more than just screen bags. I dont view them as "security" type guards either. I've seen them screen planes and do other duties, just from the times I've flown. I know they go thru extensive training ( maybe not law enforcement) but training on identifying bomb components and such. And as far as being sworn in, My sister works for TSA and she raised her right hand and sworn in to serve and protect our country. My sister, including myself are prior Army ( military police) and we both are educated w/ BA's. and she is actually working on her Masters. It seems only LEO's are having issues w/ the whole badge thing. I think we should show them some respect since they do catch loaded weapons, knives and other prohibited items from getting on planes. ( who needs a load gun on a plane anyways). You can actually read all about this on DHS/TSA websites ( very interesting I might add). I'm getting off subject here, My point is, Calm down, new uniforms/ badges or whatever, just show respect, they keep us very safe and I am very grateful for the men and women in uniform, regardless the whole badge thing. I don't think TSA officers feel they are LEO's especially if the public and other LEO's who work with them keep reminding them how beneath they are then everyone else. I think TSA does a fine job, and I feel TSO's are more important in keeping us safe at the airports than the LEO's or anyone else (badge or no badge, or no gun)It just frustrates me how everyone is quick to put these Transportation "Screeners" down, God forbid if I call them Federal Officers. (LOL)
Thank you.

[Chick17]

Technically they are Federal Officers and they are sworn in because I have seen pictures on the internest where groups of TSO's were raising their right hand. Jon Quick, I do agree with you that the former Private Security the airports had were not sworn because they do not work for a government entity, they were a for profit company providing a service to the airline industry. In 2001, the Federal Government decided they were not good enough (which they obviously were'nt) and created the TSA. Now we have government officials providing that service at a much better level. Yes, the TSA has had a few problems since its inception but they have become a great agency protecting our airways and I am very grateful to see them in our airports. I feel that some people have forgotten what happened on September 11, 2001.

[zzzzzz]

unfortunately most of you have been misinformed. TSA screeners are sworn federal officer, sworn in by a TSA Director or someone in a similar position,and have the power to arrest. They receive an initial training perod of approximately 1 month then continue with approximately 4 hours of training every week throughout their career. i am a cop and was previously employed with TSA and DEA. please do your research before degrading people.