Aviation securityNew GOP bill targets TSA screeners

New bill would bar current TSA uniforms // Source: gothamist.com

A new bill introduced by House Republicans would prohibit Transportation Security Administration (TSA) employees from wearing badges and uniforms that resemble a police outfit.

The Stop TSA’s Reach In Policy ACT, or STRIP, was introduced last Thursday by twenty-five co-sponsors including Representative John Mica (R – Florida), the chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and a vocal critic of TSA.

Under the bill, TSA agents “who have not received federal law enforcement training” would not be allowed to use the title “officer.” In addition, agents would be barred from wearing uniforms or badges that make them look like police officers.

In 2005 TSA began calling its security screeners “officers,” and in 2008, officers began wearing blue uniforms with a metallic badge.

The bill comes in response to several recent high-profile incidents that have drawn strong public criticism including recent reports that an eighty-five year old woman was strip searched and the patdown of a baby in Chattanooga, Tennessee in 2010.

“It is outrageous that in a post 9/11 world that the American people should have to live in fear of those whose job it is to keep us safe,” said Representative Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), the bill’s lead sponsor. “The least we can do is end this impersonation which is an insult to real cops.”
In response the TSA issued a statement defending its uniforms as well as its policies.

“As part of the organization’s continued efforts to transition the workforce to a cadre of well-trained, professional transportation security officers, TSA introduced uniforms more reflective of the critical nature of their work and of the high standards they uphold. Whether in airports, mass transit facilities or other transportation modes, TSA maintains a close working relationship with law enforcement and reaches out to law enforcement partners to address potential criminal activity,” said a TSA spokesman.

The spokesman did not offer any comment on the bill as it is agency policy to avoid discussing pending legislation.

Meanwhile, last month before the Senate, TSA administrator John Pistole, called the recent airport incidents “one-off situations.”

Pistole added that the agency is actively working to reduce similar incidents from occurring in the future.