Full Notification

In the Aftermath of Istanbul, Fortifying Airport Security Cannot Wait

LOS ANGELES, CALIF. - The American Alliance of Airport Police Officers (AAAPO) offers its condolences to all the innocent people affected by yesterday's attack at Istanbul Airport.

Over the last year we have seen an uptick in incidents targeted at airports and airplanes, including the recent Brussels airport attack, EgyptAir bombing, last fall's Metrojet bombing and the two Paris-bound Air France flights that were diverted due to bomb threats. These events serve as stark reminders that airports and aircraft continue to be a high priority objective for terrorists and they demand a renewed effort to implement stronger, and more efficient, security efforts at airports.

Initial reports indicate a police officer gunned down one of the airport suicide bombers, saving dozens of people. As police officers at some of the nation's busiest and most terrorist-targeted airports, there are three critical actions airports can take to strengthen security:

1. having an armed law enforcement officer be within 300 feet of a TSA security checkpoint at all times;
2. that airport police have access, in real-time, to all closed circuit security camera systems in airports; and
3. that law enforcement canine explosive detection teams be used to help mitigate threats.

These first two suggestions were made during a meeting with then-TSA Administrator Pistole in 2012 and reinforced in a follow up letter, but our solutions were dismissed and have since been ignored.

"This horrible incident is devastating and our thoughts and prayers go out to all who are impacted," said Marshall McClain, co-founder of the AAAPO and President of the Los Angeles Airport Peace Officers Association. "Why aren't we implementing these basic and common sense recommendations? With the busy summer travel season in full swing and the rise in attacks against airports, it is imperative that we make these changes to fortify airport security and ensure the safety of the traveling public, our airports and their employees."

"Our sympathies are with the victims, the injured and their families," said Paul Nunziato, co-founder of the AAAPO and President of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey Police Benevolent Association. "It is clear that a strong deterrent is having a police officer with a weapon who is prepared to do whatever it takes to stop terrorists, and we commend the police officers who were alert and engaged and did what they were trained to do at the airport. We must be vigilant about airport security and the proposals we have offered will help mitigate well-known security gaps."

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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.