Behavior Detection Officers and Travel Document Checkers ID People in California and Florida
News & Happenings
January 10, 2008
TSA's behavior detection and document checking officers have been busy this month. Just last week, a TSA behavior detection officer in Florida observed an individual in the public area of the airport, prior to the checkpoint, displaying suspicious behavior and contacted the airport police.
The police interviewed the individual, who was not traveling. During the interview, the individual threatened the officers and became combative.
Further investigation by law enforcement revealed that the individual has a felony probationary status and previous criminal history including loitering, robbery with a weapon, disorderly conduct, resisting an officer and battery. The police removed the individual from airport property.
In California, a transportation security officer specially trained in document checking identified a suspect passport presented by a Singapore-bound passenger.
The officer notified a nearby TSA behavior detection officer, who responded and confirmed that the passenger was exhibiting suspicious behavior. Airport police, as well as the FBI, Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) were notified and interviewed the passenger.
During the interview, the FBI determined that the passenger had provided false identification, and that his passport and other identification did not match. Further investigation indicated he was here illegally. The individual was taken into custody by CBP and escorted to a detention center, pending further charges.
These are just a few examples of TSA's partnership with agencies across the Department of Homeland Security and the law enforcement community to make air travel safer.
- For more information on TSA's Screening Passengers by Observation Techniques (SPOT) program, click here.
- For more information on TSA's Document Checking Efforts, click here.
