Full Notification

American Alliance of Airport Police Officers Statement Regarding TSA Security Breach at John F. Kennedy Airport

LOS ANGELES, CA -- The following statement is in response to the TSA security clearance checkpoint breach involving a man who stole a truck and left it at the front of Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy Airport on Fri. Apr. 3:

Friday, at John F. Kennedy Airport, another TSA security clearance checkpoint was breached when a man, who stole a truck and left it at the front of Terminal 8, charged through and penetrated the TSA exit lane door that required security swipe card access and is supposed to remain locked. Most disturbingly, the perpetrator made his way past the TSA security clearance checkpoint, past several gates and was eventually subdued on the jetway at Gate 37 by an American Airlines pilot until police arrived. As in many cases, a police officer was not near the security clearance area to respond immediately to this breach. When officers were informed of the whereabouts of the suspect, they responded immediately and arrested him.

This incident reinforces AAAPO's recommendation that DHS implement a rule that would require a law enforcement officer to be stationed within 300 feet of the TSA screening checkpoint. This recommendation was made in person and writing to then TSA Administrator John Pistol in September 2012 to no avail. The necessity for the 300 foot rule is only reinforced by today's incident, the recent machete attack at Louis Armstrong New Orleans Airport and most notably when a TSA agent was killed and others were injured in the November 2013 LAX Airport shooting.

Airports are highly contained environments that are densely occupied. Therefore, situations like this that are chaotic and rapidly evolving reinforce the need for experienced law enforcement officers with extensive police training and an understanding of the tactical protocols and procedures in reacting to such circumstances. It is important that there be a single police force with one chain of command that responds to emergency incidents like these.

Paul Nunziato, co-founder of the AAAPO and President of the Port Authority Police Benevolent Association said, "I don't know what needs to happen for the Department of Homeland Security to impose a 300 foot rule."

"Once again we have had another serious security breach of the TSA screening area which is supposed to be the final barrier to gaining access to airplanes," said Marshall McClain, co-founder of the AAAPO and President of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA). "No airport police were in the vicinity to stop this man who, had he had other intentions, could have reached a plane and caused irreparable harm."


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About the LAAPOA

The Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association (LAAPOA) represents the sworn police officers and firefighters of the Los Angeles Airport Police Department assigned to protect and serve Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), LA/Ontario International Airport (ONT) and Van Nuys Airport (VNY). For more information on LAAPOA, please visit www.LAAPOA.com.

About the AAAPO

The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) is comprised 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. We seek to promote security and safety for the traveling public, visitors and airport employees by highlighting best practices and identifying areas for improvement and proposed solutions for our nation's airport security deployment. AAAPO focuses on regulatory issues that promote our efforts to provide the most advanced and cutting-edge service innovations and security processes in our nation and the world. Our organization represents thousands of sworn law enforcement officers across the United States beholden only to this mission. We are unencumbered by neither political nor managerial constraints that would prevent us from promoting sound public safety policy.

The founding members of the American Alliance of Airport Police Officers are comprised of numerous rank-and-file airport police officers from John F. Kennedy International Airport; LaGuardia Airport; Los Angeles International Airport; Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport; LA/Ontario International Airport; Newark Liberty International Airport; Van Nuys Airport; Stewart International Airport; and Teterboro Airport.