National Academies Press: OpenBook

Models for Law Enforcement at Airports (2020)

Chapter: Chapter 1 - Introduction

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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 1 - Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Models for Law Enforcement at Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25893.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 1 - Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Models for Law Enforcement at Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25893.
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Suggested Citation:"Chapter 1 - Introduction." National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. 2020. Models for Law Enforcement at Airports. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/25893.
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2 Introduction As the volume of air travel and air cargo movement increases, airports are responsible for managing more and diverse dangers. Airport law enforcement personnel find themselves facing a growing multitude of responsibilities, such as deterring, investigating, and preventing crime (WFAA 8, 2014; Air Line Pilots Association 2018 Air Safety Forum, 2018); performing traffic enforcement; gathering information and intelligence; responding to calls from air carriers and airport operators; and supporting the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in screening passengers (Air Line Pilots Association 2018 Air Safety Forum, 2018). Airport law enforcement personnel not only fulfill multiple responsibilities but also assist passengers, airports, and airlines by minimizing exposure to risk and danger (Air Line Pilots Association 2018 Air Safety Forum, 2018)—all while protecting the airport that has a considerable economic impact on their communities. To this end, airport law enforcement is an essential and incredibly valuable force in protecting airport users and property as well as in assisting in the prevention of criminal activity, such as the flow of illicit drugs, human trafficking, and money laundering. The status and practice of law enforcement at airports have not been thoroughly or con- cisely documented, indicating that a comprehensive report on the state of practice was hereto- fore unavailable. This study was undertaken and completed to answer foundational questions regarding the current practice of law enforcement in airports. Objectives The objective of this synthesis is to document academic and practitioner literature as well as current practice and experience in providing and operating law enforcement at airports. This report supplies information for policymakers, airport operators, and researchers by delineating various law enforcement models for various airport types. Many airport stake- holders are unfamiliar with the characteristics of various law enforcement models, and this synthesis seeks to document how airports promote and protect the safety and security of employees, passengers, and property. The stated report question is, “How do airports use various law enforcement models to provide public safety and adhere to federal security requirements?” To expound on this question, Hickory Ridge Group LLC developed a state-of-the-practices report that identifies the law enforcement models used by multiple airports in each airport security category, as designated by TSA. The study is informed by the preliminary literature search, which describes the common organizational and ownership structures of airports, the most frequently reported law enforcement models at such airports, and the safety and security required by the federal government. C H A P T E R 1

Introduction 3 The information in this synthesis report is helpful to airport security coordinators, airport managers, and existing law enforcement agencies that have (or may have) responsibility for providing operations or oversight for safe and secure airport operations. As a result, this synthesis can help airports in altering, developing, or drafting effective law enforcement policies. Limitations of This Synthesis Study Each law enforcement model included in this synthesis exhibits varying characteristics, costs, and benefits based on multiple factors; consequently, airport operational policies and procedures may vary to address the law enforcement model or models used at that airport. To capture data about these different law enforcement models, a sample of U.S. airports was considered for inclusion. A representative sample of airport security and size categories was sought to acquire input from airports in each TSA security category. The respondents included airport security coordinators, airport managers, and airport law enforcement chiefs, officers, and related personnel. It is essential to interpret this analysis with the knowledge that airports change, add, and remove various law enforcement models over time, and they do so for many reasons. The data collected and analyzed for this report provide a snapshot of how U.S. airports are currently fulfilling their law enforcement needs and requirements. Changes occur for many reasons, including politics, costs, revenue, tenant changes, and even turnover within the law enforcement model (Judnich, 2017). Invariably, some examples were not thoroughly captured during this investigation, and a more in-depth study of each law enforcement model would provide further examples and perhaps more specific details. Military airports are excluded from the study. Local, state, regional, and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations and reviews should be ascertained before applying any material or information in this report. Study Method This synthesis is based on an initial literature review and meetings with the Topic Panel on airport law enforcement, followed by the development of a survey instrument. Selected airports were identified for participation, and 53 airports elected to participate. Some airport representatives were interviewed by telephone or email to acquire deeper detail than the web-based survey. Because of the small population size and because not all survey questions were applicable to each respondent airport, the administration of a survey questionnaire intended for statistical analysis was not appropriate. Therefore, a representative sampling method was used to identify airports in each security category using specified law enforcement models. Once the airports of interest were identified, airport managers and law enforcement representatives were approached to provide information on their law enforcement model through the web-based questionnaire or through email or telephone interviews. The purpose of the questionnaire (see Appendix A) was to provide a convenient and succinct list of topics, enabling responses that are of central importance to this inquiry. The survey was administered to personnel employed by the selected airports, and self-identifying respondents participated in email and telephone interviews. Next, a more in-depth literature review was conducted to fill in the remaining information gaps after data collection and analysis. As noted, 53 airports either self-selected to respond to the survey questionnaire or to partici- pate in interviews, resulting in 100% participation. A list of the responding airports is shown in Appendix B: List of Respondents. This appendix also includes the category, ownership model,

4 Models for Law Enforcement at Airports and law enforcement model (if provided) for each responding airport. Based on the interviews and questionnaire review, some airports are used as case examples. These cases are exemplary in terms of information, practices, or challenges, and knowledge of these may be beneficial to the management of other airports. The case examples are presented in Chapter 14: Case Examples. Literature Review The initial literature review was intended to provide a foundation of knowledge upon which to build the synthesis as well as a method to inform and shape the web-based questionnaire. The literature review began with a study of the documents, reports, and articles recommended by the expert Topic Panel. In addition, academic and government databases were searched for both academic and practitioner literature, as was the National Academies Press. The next chapter presents an overview of general information cataloged in this review, followed by chapters on each of the specific law enforcement models. The literature is also cited throughout the synthesis, and references are provided at the end of this report for readers desiring more information. Once the questionnaire administration was complete and the data were collected and analyzed, the literature review was expanded to fill in any remaining information gaps. Report Organization The synthesis is organized from the general to the specific case, with a logical progression from an overview of airport law enforcement models to individual chapters covering each law enforcement model. Chapter 1 presents an overview of the synthesis, describing the motivation, objectives, limitations, and study method. Chapter 2 explains the overall literature review, providing a foundation of knowledge related to airport law enforcement. Chapter 3 describes the method of the study in more detail. Chapter 4 offers a descriptive analysis of the survey respondents, including a map of the respondents to illustrate their geographic distribution. Chapters 5 through 9 each describe one specific law enforcement model (in the following order): airport police departments, city police departments, county sheriffs, DPSs, and state police. A description of each model is presented, including, as possible, the characteristics and details of each, such as jurisdictional issues, training requirements, access to equipment, and more. Chapter 10 notes how law enforcement personnel are supplemented by other agencies in both support and tactical services. Chapter 11 summarizes the differences between the fixed- post and flexible responses, and then Chapter 12 describes the general considerations when selecting or changing law enforcement models. Chapter 13 explains some common reasons for airports changing law enforcement models, and Chapter 14 provides case examples to illustrate how airport law enforcement models manage and coordinate law enforcement at airports. Chapter 15 lists conclusions and gaps to be addressed by future research.

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Each airport and its law enforcement model have a unique set of relationships, operations, and resources.

The TRB Airport Cooperative Research Program's ACRP Synthesis 107: Models for Law Enforcement at Airports provides a concise body of knowledge to assist airport management, operators, researchers, and users by detailing the varying types of law enforcement models available to them.

The types of airport law enforcement models include airport police, city police, county sheriffs, departments of public safety, and state police. Many airports operate by using layers of law enforcement responses composed of more than one law enforcement model.

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