Protecting the Rights of First Responders Since 1982
The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) has long questioned the effectiveness of TSA canine teams at airports. While the general public and many public policy makers would not understand the difference between TSA managed canine teams and law enforcement canine teams, the distinction in training, function, productivity and ultimately effectiveness is stark.
Los Angeles, CA – The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) has long warned that the TSA screening checkpoint is the most sensitive and vulnerable area at an airport, as it is the main chokepoint in the airport and is designed to be the last barricade to detect and stop threats from reaching airplanes. This concern was reinforced during the recent “false alarms” at LAX and JFK airports.
With the 15th anniversary of 9/11 upon us this weekend, the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) would like to take a moment and remember all who were lost that fateful day. We promise to continue to advance proposals that will fortify security at our nation’s airports and to ensure the safety of the traveling public, all airport employees, as well as our own officers.
Due to increased attacks targeting airports, the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) is asking U.S. lawmakers to support legislation, HR 5720—The Checkpoint Safety Act of 2016, that would require an armed police officer within 300 feet of TSA screening checkpoints at major airports. We are calling on Congress to support legislation that will secure American airports.
The Los Angeles Airport Police Athletics & Activities League (LAAPAAL) and the Los Angeles Police Federal Credit Union (LAPFCU) would like to extend their support to the family of Airport Police Officer Caj Scott, who recently passed away. At the request of the Blue Ribbon Trust, the LAPFCU has opened a donation account in Caj Scott’s name.
The following statement is from the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association (LAAPOA) regarding Paul Ciancia’s decision to plead guilty to 11 felony counts related to his Nov. 1, 2013, attack in Terminal 3 of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), including the murder of TSA Officer Gerardo I. Hernandez.
Over the weekend at LAX airport we saw another incident that reinforces the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers’ (AAAPO) concerns about unguarded TSA checkpoints. It is important to note that during these incidents, passengers ran through security checkpoints without being cleared. Furthermore, passengers who had already gone through clearance were running out of the airport onto the tarmac which gave them direct access to planes. Many left luggage that could have explosives in it unattended.