US: Aviation police say 'no guns' policy a threat to travellers

Citing continuing threats to airports around the country, aviation police sergeants at Chicago's two airports are demanding they be allowed to carry guns while on duty. The Illinois Council of Police, in a letter to Mayor Rahm Emanuel, said the current policy, which prohibits all aviation police officers from carrying a gun, puts them and the public in danger. "At a time when threats to our airports and other vulnerable entities within the United States are at its greatest, we renew our request that these fine officers be given authority to carry a firearm as part of their duty gear as is the norm at all other major airports within the United States for their safety and that of the public at large," said the letter from union President Norm Frese. The letter follows a CNN investigation that revealed aviation police are not armed and are told to "run and hide" in the event of an active shooter or other threat at both O'Hare and Midway. Many of those officers are either military veterans or work in suburban police departments. A long-standing policy prohibits aviation police officers from carrying a gun even though they are certified law enforcement officers. <br/>