Protecting the Rights of First Responders Since 1982
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.
In view of a recent string of airport security incidents, the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) is again calling for unfettered access to closed circuit security systems and imploring the TSA to coordinate a unified stream of video feeds at airports nationwide. We have repeatedly pressed the government and lawmakers to pass legislation that keep American airports safe and free from preventable incidents and tragedies.
The following statement is from the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association (LAAPOA) on the passing of Airport Officer Caj Lamoute Scott: “We offer our sincerest condolences to the family of Officer Caj Scott including his wife Beverly and their four children,” said LAAPOA President Marshall McClain.
Current City of Inglewood Mayor James Butts is the former deputy executive director in charge of Homeland Security and Public Safety at LAX. He has a long history of police service, mostly with the Inglewood Police Department, which he joined in 1972. There he held the positions of officer, detective, SWAT commander and Narcotics Division commander before promoting to sergeant in 1981, lieutenant in 1984, chief of operations in 1986 and finally deputy chief in 1990.
Airport perimeters continue to be vulnerable access points at our nation’s airports and the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) repeats its previous calls for tougher perimeter security to include mobile patrols by airport police officers, in addition to security measures already in place.
The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) is relieved that the events that unfolded at JFK Airport on Sunday, August 14th appear to be no more than a false alarm; however, they highlight, once again, that airports continue to be vulnerable to attack. Terrorists and those seeking to cause maximum damage and harm have repeatedly proven this, and the AAAPO reiterates its calls for reasonable measures to be taken in order to protect the traveling public.
As the general election approaches, and the chaotic presidential race continues to dominate headlines, LAAPOA urges all members to stay informed and pay close attention to the presidential and legislative candidates’ approaches to law enforcement policies. Of course, all political hopefuls will claim that they support police — but how that support might play out in the form of law-enforcement-related policy is quite different.
While the news is all a buzz with the upcoming corruption trial for former Los Angeles County Sheriff Lee Baca, the retiring of former Los Angeles Police Chief NYPD Commissioner William Bratton and the continued calls from community activists for the firing of current LAPD Chief Charlie Beck, the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers’ Association remains hopeful for real leadership for our department in the search for a new police chief.
The tumultuous and tragic past month, when protests against police uses of force devolved into terrifying ambushes of officers with civilians caught in the crossfire, has served as an urgent reminder that all sides of the debate over law enforcement policy must continue to find common ground and work collaboratively toward reform.