Airport security is a top priority worldwide, especially in the US after 9/11. Airport police officers maintain security, enforce laws, and assist the public. They also manage traffic and prevent theft, assault, and other crimes within the airport’s jurisdiction.
Airport security is a paramount concern for airports around the world. In the United States, airport security has become an even bigger problem after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. While the federal government in the United States is responsible for providing employees whose job it is to search and scan both people and baggage, local governments are generally responsible for security in and around the airport in the form of airport policing. The job of an airport police officer is very similar to that of any police officer: to maintain security, enforce laws and ordinances, and assist the general public and other law enforcement agencies when needed.
While additional security is often required due to increased security risks, airport policing is also an integral part of the basic security and law enforcement presence at airports. An airport police officer generally has the same training and meets the same requirements as a municipal or state police officer. Furthermore, the airport police also have the right to carry firearms and make arrests when necessary.
Airports are places with high traffic in most cases and hence require the presence of a police force to help keep them going smoothly. Due to the additional security measures taken by the Federal Aviation Administration after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, traffic management at the arrival and departure gates has become a major issue. One of the responsibilities of an airport police officer is to help ensure vehicles are not left unattended at the delivery and collection entrances.
The jurisdiction of law enforcement agencies assigned to an airport generally includes the building itself, as well as all adjacent parking lots and grounds. Airports are hardly immune from criminal acts committed within the jurisdiction. Theft, assault and drunken travelers are common crimes that require airport police departments.
Due to the high volume of people coming and going through an airport, theft of personal belongings is a common occurrence. A passenger can easily become distracted en route, which creates an opportunity for criminals to swoop in and leave with luggage or bags without the victim noticing that something is missing for some time. Passengers can also become agitated during their journey due to the inherent delays and lengthy boarding procedures, which can lead to arguments that in some cases can escalate into an outright assault. An airport police officer might also have to deal with passengers who have had one cocktail too many while waiting for a delayed flight.
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