The Rhode Island Airport Police enforces Local, State and Federal laws primarily at T.F. Green International Airport, the state's only commercial air-carrier airport. The Patrol Division maintains a presence at Green Airport with three, ten hour, overlapping shifts. We also have enforcement authority on a statewide level with regards to aviation related matters. There are five "outlying", general/commuter aviation, State owned airports (North Central State Airport in Smithfield; Quonset State Airport in North Kingstown; Westerly State Airport in Westerly; Block Island State Airport in New Shoreham; and Newport State Airport in Middletown) and several private airports throughout Rhode Island.
The Department consists of a Chief of Police, three Lieutenants, one Inspector, three Sergeants, 19 patrol officers (and growing), seven dispatchers, one Security Badging Coordinator and an adminstrative secretary.
We investigate, arrest and prosecute for crimes commited within our jurisdiction, issue and prosecute traffic tickets for any violation of the Rhode Island Motor Vehicle Code. We enforce Air Carrier Security Screening requirements in accordance with Federal Aviation Regulations Part 107. We administer the Airport's Security ID badging and training programs required for all persons having access to the Airport's Operational Area (AOA) which includes criminal background checks on all Airport and tenant employees. We respond to breaches of the Passenger Screening Checkpoint, AOA access points and the perimeter fencing. We conduct traffic control in the Airport's roadways. We administer the Airport's Wildlife Control Program. We are the first responders to medical emergencies in and around the main terminal. We are certified in CPR and the use of Automatic External Defibrilators (AED's). (The most recent "save" using CPR and the AED was April 27, 2001.) We provide dignitary protective services. We work closely with State, Local and Federal Agencies -some of which would be the F.B.I., D.E.A., U.S. Customs, U.S. Immigration and U.S. Secret Service. We coordinate the response for all emergencies at the airport including hijacking and bomb threats. We also provide assistance to law enforcement officers transporting prisoners through the airport. We are covered by a collective bargaining contract under AFSCME Council 94 and are active members of the Fraternal Order Of Police Lodge 39.
Our post-"9/11" duties also include active anti- and counter-terrorism measures. We were, until recently, assisted by Military Police from the RI National Guard, RI State Police and Warwick Police Response to potential bomb threats is provided by the RI State Fire Marshall's office. We are assisted in response to chemical and bio-terrorism threats by the Airport's Rescue and Fire Fighting unit, the Warwick Fire Department and the RI State Department of Health. |
