City Proposes Removal of Word 'Police' From Aviation Department Security
A longstanding policy prohibits those aviation police officers from carrying a gun even though they are certified law enforcement officers; about 300 of them work along with armed Chicago police, which is the primary law enforcement agency at both airports.
The union contended the city is moving “to strip the aviation officers of their authority as special police officers” and asked the board to order the city not to make any changes to the officers’ “duties or symbols of authority” until it gives the union notice and “a full opportunity to bargain over proposed changes.”Union spokesman Adam Rosen said that without the word “police,” airport users won’t understand the officers have full police powers.