Posted on 08/25/2006 6:57:54 AM PDT by aculeus
WASHINGTON, Aug. 24 (Reuters) — The armed undercover officers who protect United States airlines against attack have been told they can ditch their business suits for casual outfits that blend in with those of other travelers.
The director of the Federal Air Marshal Service relaxed the strict dress code and other rules on Thursday, addressing problems at an organization that has expanded quickly since 2001 and been plagued by poor morale.
On Sept. 11, 2001, there were 33 air marshals, but now armed law enforcement officials disguised as passengers are deployed on thousands of flights each week. The actual number is classified, but officials say it is in the thousands.
Dana Brown, who took over as the agency’s director earlier this year, said that beginning Sept. 1 the marshals could choose what to wear on flights.
“The manner of dress should allow you to blend in and not direct attention to yourself, as well as be sufficiently functional to enable you to conduct your law enforcement responsibilities, and effectively conceal your duty equipment,” Mr. Brown said in a memorandum.
In the past, the marshals were required to have neatly trimmed hair and men had to be clean-shaven. Some of the service’s 21 field offices had mandated that male officers wear suits and ties while on duty. Women were required to wear blouses and skirts or dress slacks.
(Excerpt) Read more at nytimes.com ...
First - they had to get rid of that ignorant, PC moron hold over from the Clinton administration -- Secretary of Transportation "unNormal" Mineta....
Semper Fi
That's right. Let's go from looking like refugees to assuming they should be dressed for opening night at the opera. Sheesh.
Any travellor knows what blings the scanner and what doesn't. Besides, your treated as you dress more often than you think..
heels can be an expedient weapon... my mother stopped a mugger with her heels one time, punched a nice hole in the muggers foot
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