Explosives Detection Personnel Screening Canine Program launched at LAX.

Community Message has been issued by the LAPD Headquarters.


Friday May 13, 2011 2:35 PM PDT

Explosives Detection Personnel Screening Canine Program launched at LAX.

May 12, 2011 NR11222rh

Explosives Detection Personnel Screening Canine

Los Angeles: Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) and the Los Angeles World Airport Police Department (LAWAPD) have been working jointly to review the security of LAX following the 2009 failed “Christmas Bomber” incident in Detroit. This review was consistent with President Obama’s own White House-led review which mandated to aggressively pursue enhanced screening technology, protocols, and procedures, especially in regard to aviation and other transportation sectors.

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa held a news conference today to announce the results of the security review of LAX. The Mayor, accompanied by LAPD Chief of Police Charlie Beck and Airport Police Chief George Centeno, talked about how he directed the LAPD and Airport Police chiefs to conduct a thorough review of airport security. The news conference was aptly held in the Tom Bradley International Terminal at LAX where the two police agencies talked about what they discovered during their review of airport security. “One of the areas that we examined was our explosive detection canine program” said Chief Charlie Beck. We reported our findings to Mayor Villaraigosa who then sent correspondence to the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommending that they review their training protocols for the National Explosive Detection Canine Training Program (NEDCTP). Chief Beck added that the LAX Explosive Detection Canine Program is the largest in the nation.

In March 2010, the City of Los Angeles received correspondence from TSA, agreeing with the recommendation to change their canine training curriculum. The LAPD and LAWAPD both pursued available funding to purchase multiple explosive detection personnel screening canines and to upgrade the training for officers who partner with these canines. The Los Angeles Police Foundation and the Los Angeles World Airports graciously agreed to fund this initiative. The project has been a joint effort from its inception.

The Explosives Detection Personnel Screening Canine is trained to sample a plume of air emitting from a person, whether the person is moving or stationary. The LAPD and LAWAPD canine teams have the ability to discreetly screen passengers for Human Borne Improvised Explosive Devices (HBIED). “As an addition to the number of security measures in place at LAX, the new canine program enhances our ability to maintain a safe environment for the traveling public and adds an additional layer of protection to help combat potential acts of terrorism," said Los Angeles Airport Police Chief George R. Centeno. The two agencies work in partnership as they deploy this new tool to increase the level of safety in our airports and other critical sites throughout the City. The City of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles World Airport Police Department will continue to take a leadership role in policing our airports and protecting the people of Los Angeles; while adhering to our mandate and principles of Constitutional Policing. # # #

For full details, go to http://local.nixle.com/alert/4690127/?sub_id=42580.
Contact Information:
Bruce Borihanh
LAPD Media Relations
213-486-5910 35194@lapd.lacity.org