Job Details

Airport Police Officer

An Airport Police Officer is a sworn peace officer, authorized to carry a firearm and make arrests with or without a warrant; enforces federal and state laws and regulations, City of Montgomery ordinances, Airport Security Program requirements, and airport rules and regulations at Montgomery Regional Airport; engages in law enforcement activities, including uniformed foot, vehicle, Segway, and bicycle patrol to ensure the integrity of the commercial aviation environment; and does related work.

Distinguishing Features

An Airport Police Officer is an armed peace officer of the State of Alabama and may work in uniform or plainclothes assignments. They may be assigned as a solo officer or as a team member. Often the work is performed in a commercial aviation environment with large crowds, heavy equipment and aircraft. An Airport Police Officer often works with minimal direct supervision and may be called upon to make critical decisions affecting the global aviation system. Generally, an Airport Police Officer's productivity and quality of work is measured by field inspections, police reports and daily field activity reports.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Patrols Airport property in uniform and plain clothes to deter criminal activity, trespassing and other acts that would affect commercial aviation;
• Patrols a commercial airfield to ensure compliance with safety, security and vehicle laws, rules and regulations;
• Responds to reports of security breaches, violations of security regulations and trespasses.
• Responds to law enforcement calls for service;
• Supports the passenger and baggage screening processes by assisting the Transportation Security Administration;
• May be designated as the Incident Commander during an emergency or law enforcement related incident;
• May conduct preliminary assessments of unattended or suspicious articles;
• Receives and releases lost and found articles;
• Provides general and aviation related information to the public, airport tenants and employees;
• Provides escorts on the airfield operations area for dignitaries, construction crews, representatives of the press and other law enforcement agencies;
• Conducts security assessments of airport property;
• Works closely with employees of other Montgomery Regional Airport Authority divisions to resolve common security issues;
• Conducts perimeter patrols to ensure the integrity of fencing and gates;
• Conducts foot patrols of airport terminal buildings to ensure compliance with security regulations and to deter criminal activity;
• Will be the first responder to an airplane crash or other emergency incident involving large numbers of victims;
• May be assigned to "high risk" areas;
• Writes a variety of reports including crime, arrest, incident and injury reports;
• Conducts preliminary and follow-up investigations;
• Interviews witnesses and suspects to obtain information for reports and investigations;
• Makes arrests and transports arrestees to appropriate jail facilities;
• Books and catalogs evidence;
• Testifies in court;
• Assists law enforcement agencies with transportation of prisoners while on airport property;
• Issues citations for violations of State of Alabama Laws and City of Montgomery Ordinances;
• Issues administrative citations for violations of the Airport Rules and Regulations;
• Responds to emergencies and takes immediate action to control crowds, reduces the impact of security breaches and other aviation related incidents;
• Conducts traffic control and enforcement on foot, in a vehicle, on a Segway, or on a bicycle;
• Conducts assessments and makes recommendations for improvement of security methods and systems;
• Develops alternatives for resolving disputes;
• May be assigned as a field training officer;
• May be assigned as a lead officer;
• May be assigned to an explosive detection unit or as a patrol K-9 handler;
• May be assigned to a federal or local task force or detail involving aviation-related criminal activity;
• May be assigned to provide information to other employees, the general public, the community, and tenants; and
• May be assigned to remove wild and stray animals from the airfield operations area.

Airport Police Officers may be assigned to other duties and/or agencies for training purposes or to meet technological changes or emergencies.

Qualifications

Knowledge of:

• Report writing, reading comprehension, english usage and spelling;
• Laws and regulations governing Airport Police Officers and the aviation industry;
• Laws of arrest and the elements of a crime;
• Methods of patrolling and safeguarding airport property, buildings, installations and adjacent facilities and roadways.
• Use of a firearm and defensive tactics; and safety principles and practices.

Must have the ability to:

• Follow written and oral instructions;
• Understand and apply complex policies and procedures;
• Speak clearly and authoritatively;
• Learn the locations of installations and facilities in and around airport property;
• Interact effectively and courteously with employees, tenants and the general public;
• Work well with others in an international aviation environment;
• Analyze situations and adopt or implement quick, effective and reasonable courses of action;
• Write clear and concise reports;
• Provide complete and truthful testimony in court;
• Maintain flexibility and be prepared to adapt to rapidly changing situations;
• Confront dangerous situations and potential acts of terrorism; and
• Exert the physical stamina, strength, flexibility and coordination to pursue and restrain fleeing suspects and defend oneself and others from physical attack.

Minimum Requirements

• High school graduation or G.E.D. equivalent.
• Must be 21 years of age at the time of appointment.
• Must have U.S. citizenship or have applied for U.S. citizenship before applying for Airport Police Officer.
• Must have completed a basic police recruit academy approved by the Alabama Peace Officers Standards and Training (APOST). They must also be in good standing with APOST.
• Must submit to a Background Investigation and fingerprint background check prior to employment to satisfy Federal Aviation Administration and state law in reference to law enforcement employment requirements.

Conditions of Employment

• Must possess a valid Alabama driver's license.
• Appointment to a position in this class is subject to a one-year probationary period.