ALDERMEN: MAKE AIRPORT SECURITY PART OF CPD
Officers would not be at same level as cops but would be armed
The long- simmering City Council debate over whether to arm aviation security officers can be resolved by making them part of the Chicago Police Department, a chief proponent said Wednesday.
Ald. Chris Taliaferro ( 29th), whose ordinance authorizing aviation security officers to carry weapons is languishing in a committee, embraced the idea tossed out by Finance Committee Chairman Edward Burke ( 14th) during a recent closed- door meeting with Aviation Commissioner Ginger Evans.
“Incorporation of aviation security officers into the Chicago Police Department at a lesser level than that of a police officer. By doing that, they would be recognized by the Chicago Police Department and armed without any additional training. That’s an excellent approach,” Taliaferro, a former Chicago Police officer, said Wednesday.
“It’s very similar to what’s been done with the Illinois secretary of state police. They all carry the Illinois State Police patch. They’re police officers and armed, but they’ve been assimilated into the Illinois State Police without the same degree of being an Illinois state trooper.”
Burke could not be reached for comment. Nor could Chicago Police Department spokesman Anthony Guglielmi.
Evans said the question of whether aviation security officers should be armed involves a “very complex set of issues” that requires “careful analysis” and cannot be resolved quickly.
According to Taliaferro, the commissioner started the closeddoor meeting with key aldermen “somewhat defiant” and left “willing to explore” Burke’s idea.
Taliaferro said he and Aviation Committee Chairman Mike Zalewski ( 23rd) are determined to resolve the issue before the summer travel crunch.
They were both incensed by the email directive issued to aviation security officers after a shooter killed five people in the baggage claim area at the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport.
The unarmed officers were told they would not be dispatched to disturbances in unsecured areas of O’Hare and Midway, including check- in and baggage claim. But they would continue to handle disturbances in secure areas beyond the Transportation Security Administration checkpoint.
“Should something occur in the presence or sight of the aviation police officer, they’re to do nothing but simply call dispatch,’’ Taliaferro said. ‘‘ I asked [ Evans] how long that could take. I said, ‘ Do you understand the damage that could occur or the lives that could be [ lost] while we’re waiting for dispatch to send someone?’ She was very quiet.”
In December 2015, CNN reported that unarmed officers at O’Hare and Midway had been told to run or “hide” if shootings break out.
More recently, Zalewski said it was time for Chicago to “fish or cut bait” on the issue of airport security either by allowing aviation security officers to carry weapons or by privatizing their jobs.