TSA union calls for armed officers at airport checkpoints

WASHINGTON, DC – American Federation of Government Employees National President J. David Cox Sr. today issued the following statement in response to the Transportation Security Administration’s review of the Nov. 1 shooting at Los Angeles International Airport, which resulted in the death of Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez:

“Ever since Transportation Security Officer Gerardo Hernandez was killed while on duty at LAX last November, AFGE has advocated that TSA create an armed, uniformed law enforcement unit within the agency to provide the best possible security for our Transportation Security Officers at the airport checkpoints. Today’s report justifies our call for armed law enforcement officers at security checkpoints.

“AFGE appreciates the first steps TSA has taken, and the support they have shown to the officers and families affected by the LAX incident, but today’s report does not go far enough to address the immediate threat posed by individuals who target our officers. The current patchwork of local law enforcement agencies across the country inevitably leaves gaps in security, as we saw at LAX. Only an armed law enforcement unit within TSA can ensure the constant and consistent presence of sufficient law enforcement resources needed in the immediate area of the checkpoints and other key locations in order to prevent another tragedy like the one that occurred at LAX. Now that this report recognizes the need for increased visibility of uniformed officers in and around the checkpoints, and improved response times for law enforcement, AFGE looks forward to working with TSA in achieving this goal at airports nationwide.”