http://www.apbnews.com/cjprofessionals/behindthebadge/2000/06/06/faa0606_01.html
FAA Plans Strict ID Checks for Cops
Agents Fear Ban on Flying Armed Could Follow
June 6, 2000
By James Gordon Meek
WASHINGTON (APBnews.com) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is set to issue a security directive this week ordering airports to more carefully screen the credentials of law enforcement officers who wish to fly armed aboard commercial aircraft, officials told APBnews.com today.
The move comes in the wake of a General Accounting Office (GAO) investigation in which undercover agents used fake badges bought off the Internet to gain access to secure government buildings and airports.
The FAA's potential next move, say angry federal agents, will be to only allow Secret Service and FBI agents to fly armed.
"This will hinder ongoing criminal investigations," said Richard Gallo, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. "The FAA has valid security concerns, but their solution is mind-boggling. It's incredible."
Airport police to check badges
Under the FAA security directive, all law enforcement identification would be checked by airport police.
Private security guards who screen travelers will no longer be permitted to wave anyone through who flashes a badge.
In addition, non-federal law enforcement officers will have to provide both a letter establishing an officer's credentials and a private telephone number that airline security officials can call at any time to confirm the credentials.
Federal agents welcome move
Gallo, a U.S. Department of Agriculture special agent in the office of the inspector general, said he alerted his members last week of the FAA proposals and plans. He said federal agents welcome the airport police checks.
Gallo said he recently attended an interagency meeting with federal law enforcement officials, the FAA and airline industry representatives, who admitted they would prefer a total ban on flying armed.
Of more immediate concern, he said, is the possibility that the FAA will further restrict the ability of officers to fly armed by only permitting FBI, Secret Service agents and FAA air marshals the privilege.
Counterfeit-proof ID
FAA spokeswoman Rebecca Trexler said further restrictions were a distinct possibility unless federal authorities can invent a wallet credential that is counterfeit-proof.
Trexler said the process of devising such an ID could take months -- if it's even possible.
"It's only if we can't come up with a new credential that we have to look at restricting law enforcement officers from carrying arms on board [commercial aircraft] or into sterile areas," Trexler said.
Any area in an airport terminal that is beyond a security checkpoint is considered to be "sterile," because metal and explosive residue devices have theoretically screened people in those areas.
Airports have other problems
Gallo said his members strongly oppose a gun ban for sworn officers taking commercial flights within the United States.
Citing recent crimes where airport employees were arrested for smuggling drugs at U.S. airports, Gallo said of a potential ban: "The FAA and the industry need to get their own house in order before they obliterate the ability of law enforcement to do our jobs."
In May, investigators from the GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, successfully entered federal buildings and other restricted areas, such as airports, by using phony IDs and badges purchased from Internet sites. Some in Congress now want to ban the sale of realistic-looking badges on the Internet; the real problem, others say, is lax security.
"We are issuing new requirements for security measures that would compensate for issues GAO raised," Trexler said.
Asked if she was aware of incidents where a hijacker or terrorist used fake law enforcement credentials to gain access to a civilian aircraft, Trexler said she was not.
FAA Plans Strict ID Checks for Cops
Agents Fear Ban on Flying Armed Could Follow
June 6, 2000
By James Gordon Meek
WASHINGTON (APBnews.com) -- The Federal Aviation Administration is set to issue a security directive this week ordering airports to more carefully screen the credentials of law enforcement officers who wish to fly armed aboard commercial aircraft, officials told APBnews.com today.
The move comes in the wake of a General Accounting Office (GAO) investigation in which undercover agents used fake badges bought off the Internet to gain access to secure government buildings and airports.
The FAA's potential next move, say angry federal agents, will be to only allow Secret Service and FBI agents to fly armed.
"This will hinder ongoing criminal investigations," said Richard Gallo, president of the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association. "The FAA has valid security concerns, but their solution is mind-boggling. It's incredible."
Airport police to check badges
Under the FAA security directive, all law enforcement identification would be checked by airport police.
Private security guards who screen travelers will no longer be permitted to wave anyone through who flashes a badge.
In addition, non-federal law enforcement officers will have to provide both a letter establishing an officer's credentials and a private telephone number that airline security officials can call at any time to confirm the credentials.
Federal agents welcome move
Gallo, a U.S. Department of Agriculture special agent in the office of the inspector general, said he alerted his members last week of the FAA proposals and plans. He said federal agents welcome the airport police checks.
Gallo said he recently attended an interagency meeting with federal law enforcement officials, the FAA and airline industry representatives, who admitted they would prefer a total ban on flying armed.
Of more immediate concern, he said, is the possibility that the FAA will further restrict the ability of officers to fly armed by only permitting FBI, Secret Service agents and FAA air marshals the privilege.
Counterfeit-proof ID
FAA spokeswoman Rebecca Trexler said further restrictions were a distinct possibility unless federal authorities can invent a wallet credential that is counterfeit-proof.
Trexler said the process of devising such an ID could take months -- if it's even possible.
"It's only if we can't come up with a new credential that we have to look at restricting law enforcement officers from carrying arms on board [commercial aircraft] or into sterile areas," Trexler said.
Any area in an airport terminal that is beyond a security checkpoint is considered to be "sterile," because metal and explosive residue devices have theoretically screened people in those areas.
Airports have other problems
Gallo said his members strongly oppose a gun ban for sworn officers taking commercial flights within the United States.
Citing recent crimes where airport employees were arrested for smuggling drugs at U.S. airports, Gallo said of a potential ban: "The FAA and the industry need to get their own house in order before they obliterate the ability of law enforcement to do our jobs."
In May, investigators from the GAO, the investigative arm of Congress, successfully entered federal buildings and other restricted areas, such as airports, by using phony IDs and badges purchased from Internet sites. Some in Congress now want to ban the sale of realistic-looking badges on the Internet; the real problem, others say, is lax security.
"We are issuing new requirements for security measures that would compensate for issues GAO raised," Trexler said.
Asked if she was aware of incidents where a hijacker or terrorist used fake law enforcement credentials to gain access to a civilian aircraft, Trexler said she was not.
