Current Status
The Los Angeles Airport Police was dramatically affected by several events, each resulting in organizational changes, increased responsibilities, increased training and personnel increases. These events included “Proposition 13,” a 1978 tax reduction measure that severely limited the ability of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) to increase staffing levels at LAX; the 1981-1983 double deck road construction and terminal addition projects; the 1984 Olympics; the 1991 Gulf War; the 1992 Los Angeles Riots; and, most notably, the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. A substantial increases in authorized strength was connected to the 1984 Olympics. The organization more than doubled in size between 1999 and 2005, from slightly over 400 personnel to over 900.
The Los Angeles Airport Police, as of May 2007, is the largest airport police agency in the United States and the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County, with over 1100 personnel, including over 450 sworn officers. In addition to LAX, Airport Police members are assigned to the other airports in the Los Angeles World Airports system – Los Angeles/Ontario, Van Nuys and Los Angeles/Palmdale. Some of the officers at Los Angeles/Ontario are "Airport Safety Officers," cross-trained in Fire, Emergency Medical Services and law enforcement.
The Airport Police is a course presenter for law enforcement training under the auspices of the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training (POST). The Airport Police fields over 20 explosive detection (EDK9) and patrol (K9) dogs LAXPD K-9 Unit Website; Los Angeles Airport Police, combined with the Los Angeles Police Department, maintains the largest TSA canine explosive detection program in the country in an aviation environment. In 1986, the Airport Police started the Dignitary Protection Unit, which works closely with the United States Secret Service and U.S. State Department to protect high security risk government protectees. It participates as a key member of the LAX Airport Security Advisory Committee (ASAC). It has representatives assigned to the Los Angeles Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) and Los Angeles County Terrorism Early Warning Group (TEW). The Los Angeles Airport Police is a founding member of the International Association of Airport and Seaport Police (IAASP) and the Airport Law Enforcement Agencies Network (ALEAN).
Read more about this topic: Los Angeles Airport Police
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