by Dan Hensley

Created on: July 08, 2008   Last Updated: July 09, 2008

Our airports need protection from those with criminal intent. That is and has always been absolutely clear. 9/11 will not ever be forgotten, nor will those who gave their lives so others might have some chance of living to talk about that day. There is a long list of heroes that should make everyone cry. In response to all of the threats facing U.S. commercial aviation, our government has created TSA (The Transportation Security Administration).

This author has held all of the positions and all of the titles anyone can ever hold in the world of airport security just short of being a sworn officer. Speaking objectively, yet honestly, the TSA is a major embarrassment. TSA workers are as much an embarrassment as those old private security companies that used to do everything. Now TSA is getting new uniforms with 2 inch by 3 inch federal badges, which will make them look like the police.

One comment at USAToday pointed out that TSA Officers are actually sworn because they have to take an oath of office. That same comment states that the TSA holds training just short of that held by police bomb response units. That same claim was made about Officers working for private companies. Only SOME of the private company employees held that level of training, and those in charge were VERY selective about those who were chosen to receive such training.

TSA states that their Officers are being put through a two day "communications" course to train them to be professional with passengers due to the risk of abuse of the new TSA image. Police Officers who actually have arrest powers are not very happy about the new police style badges because they look too close to the real thing. Police question whether or not they are guilty of criminal violation of state or federal impersonation laws because they are not actual officers.

The TSA IS a federal law enforcement agency with investigative powers, and a mandate to act on violations of airport / personnel security / access control / aircraft security matters. The TSA coordinates with local police and the FAA on these matters, making the appropriate authorities a part of the process. TSA officials state that there is no intent of giving TSA Officers or Inspectors arrest powers.

An argument could be made as to why the TSA should send their Officers and Inspectors through federal Law Enforcement Standards Training at the Quantico, Virginia training facility. Some percentage of the TSA workforce are actual members of the U.S. military, retired

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