Airport Police Concern Over Security Badges
The Transportation Security Adminstration (TSA)'s security screeners at airports across the US are being equipped with new police-style uniforms - and real airport police are not happy.
Some officers fear that airline passengers will mistake airport security screeners for real airport police officers, who have arrest powers and carry guns, because of the similarity between the new TSA uniforms and those worn by officers.
Airport police are concerned about the security badges. Each TSA screener will get a 3-inch-by-2inch silver badge after completing a new two-day training course that aims to improve the customer service given by security officials. All 48,000 screeners across the US will be given the badges.
The new uniform, first worn by screeners at Baltimore-Washington Airport, replaces the current white shirt and yellow TSA patch.
The TSA says the new uniform and badge is designed to improve the image of airport security screeners. A spokeswoman said: "Some of our officers aren't respected".
Airport Police Officers
However, there is concern from police that the airport security screeners' badges will undermine the authority of airport police officers.
Duane Gray of the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network, an airport police association, said: "A lot of cops at airports are not thrilled about it. It's another way of saying (to us), 'You're not important'."
Airport police are particularly concerned about some passengers being confused by the screeners' uniforms, which they claim could lead to confusion from people who may expect them to handle offences.
Paul Mason, the chief of the Lambert-St Louis International Airport police, said: "There are going to be some growing pains on the part of the (screeners) and police".
Airport Customer Service Training
The TSA says the airport customer service training course for TSA screeners, which will focus on communication with passengers, will help avoid any confusion.
TSA Deputy Administrator Gale Rossides said: "We coupled the badges with the communications training to make it clear to our officers that they're there to facilitate our passengers".
Rossides added that the TSA has no interest in giving screeners any law enforcement powers.
A screener at Boston-Logan International Airport, A.J. Castilla, said the badges will be beneficial. He said: "It'll go a long way to enhance the respect of this workforce".
Source - Airport International's US Correspondent
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