The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) is composed of rank-and-file airport police officers (including many dual police/aircraft rescue firefighters) who stand as the first line of defense against terrorist attacks, hijackings and other criminal activity at our nation’s airports.
September 11: Never Forget
Today marks the 18th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the United States of America. Nearly two decades later, our country has not forgotten the sacrifices made on that fateful day. First responders and their families still bear the brunt of these lasting impacts, but with the passage of the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund Act on […]
Extending a Lifeline of Support
On July 29, President Donald Trump signed the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund legislation into law, extending a financial lifeline to the thousands of police officers and firefighters suffering from illnesses related to the September 11 terrorist attacks. This was a great day for America, and particularly for first responders. Action on the bill followed months of […]
Checkpoint Security: A Growing Threat
On Tuesday, June 18, 2019, several TSA agents were injured at Phoenix’s Sky Harbor Airport when a man attempted to rush through the security checkpoint. Phoenix police and airport security were able to subdue the man, 19-year-old Tyrese Garner, and arrest him. He now faces charges of felony criminal trespassing, felony resisting arrest and five […]
Police Week 2019
In 1962, President John F. Kennedy signed a proclamation that designated May 15 as Peace Officers Memorial Day, and the week in which it falls as National Police Week. This symbolic act would set into motion a tradition, bringing together tens of thousands of law enforcement officers from around the globe to honor those who pay […]
Manning the Gates
On March 7, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Department arrested a Bronx man who, after claiming to be a new airport employee who did not have his identification, pushed his way through a security checkpoint at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Before the man could reach the secure area of the airport, TSA agents blocked him […]
A Numbers Game
On Friday, August 10, Richard Russell, an airport ground worker who learned how to fly planes from playing video games, took a Bombardier Q400 turboprop plane belonging to his employer, Horizon Air (an Alaska Airlines subsidiary), from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and crashed it on Ketron Island, located southwest of Tacoma, Washington. Russell had full credentials […]
In Honor of Brotherhood That Matters
United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), Black Lives Matter (BLM), the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other groups have planned an anti-police demonstration at Los Angeles Trade Tech. UTLA, the union that represents Los Angeles public school teachers, is co-sponsoring the rally on February 24 and calling it “Making Black Lives Matter in Schools.” The […]
Looking Ahead to New Leadership at DHS
The AAAPO congratulates Kirstjen Nielsen on her confirmation to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). DHS faces a critical juncture in this heightened threat environment. The dangers here at home are widespread and many, especially at our nation’s airports, which continue to be symbolic prizes to those seeking to cause terror and chaos. AAAPO is hopeful […]
Drone Disaster
This week, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) released a report on the impact of drones hitting aircraft. The report verified that a collision between a small unmanned aircraft system (UAS) and a commercial aircraft would be catastrophic, and simulations show that drone collisions inflict more physical damage than that of an equivalent size and speed bird […]
ISIS Is Acting — Are We?
Last week, while speaking at the U.S. Embassy in London, Elaine Duke, acting secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, warned that terrorist organizations, like ISIS, want to take down aircraft to inflict mass civilian casualties. In light of this reinforcement that terrorists continue to plot the takedown of passenger airplanes, the American Alliance of […]
Drone On
Three weeks ago, a drone was discovered near a runway at JFK airport during VIP movements for the United Nations General Assembly. Two weeks ago, a drone hit an Army Black Hawk helicopter over New York’s Staten Island, becoming the first confirmed in-flight collision of a drone and a piloted aircraft in the U.S. Last week, […]
AAAPO Offers Condolences to Those Affected By Las Vegas Concert Tragedy
The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) is extremely saddened by the events that took place last night in Las Vegas, Nevada, during a music concert, and offers its thoughts and prayers to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy. This incident has claimed the lives of innocent bystanders who were […]