(CBS) – Chicago’s aviation police officers are making a renewed push to be allowed to carry weapons at the city’s airports.
CBS 2’s Sandra Torres reports.
The city’s 300 aviation police officers at Chicago’s airports cannot carry a weapon while on duty.
But one officer says that policy must change, especially after the shooting inside the Fort Lauderdale Airport.
He says if someone in the airport has a gun or knife, “We have a problem.” The officer, who asked CBS 2 not to reveal his identity, says he and his peers are told to “run and hide” if there’s trouble.
The aviation officers have a law enforcement certification from the state. They legally carry weapons 24/7, but once they enter the airport they must put it away.
Ward 29 Ald. Chris Taliaferro introduced a resolution a year ago to change that.
“These officers already carry firearms, and it’s only a matter of taking them out of their lockers or wherever they store them,” he says.
The head of the Public Safety Committee says it’s not that simple. A meeting is scheduled with the head of the aviation department to address the issue next week. But it’s not a policy that will change overnight.
The Chicago Department of Aviation declined comment.
A spokesperson for the Chicago Police Department says they don’t take a position on personnel decisions.
CPD is the primary law enforcement agency at O’Hare and Midway. Their trained officers and specialized teams do carry weapons at both airports.
from CBS Chicago http://ift.tt/2jp5K5u
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