Applicable To: All Personnel

Approval Authority:  Major Darryl K. Tolleson

Signature:  Signed by DKT

Date Signed:  2/21/08

 1.        PURPOSE  PAGEREF _Toc191285439 \h 1

2.        POLICY   PAGEREF _Toc191285440 \h 1

3.        RESPONSIBILITIES  PAGEREF _Toc191285441 \h 1

4.        ACTION  PAGEREF _Toc191285442 \h 1

4.1        Escort Request: PAGEREF _Toc191285443 \h 1

4.2        Escort Request Log Book  PAGEREF _Toc191285444 \h 2

4.3        Performance of Escorts for boarding an aircraft PAGEREF _Toc191285445 \h 2

4.4        Performance of other Escorts  PAGEREF _Toc191285446 \h 2

4.5        Performance of Pickups  PAGEREF _Toc191285447 \h 3

5.        DEFINITIONS  PAGEREF _Toc191285448 \h 3

6.        CANCELLATION  PAGEREF _Toc191285449 \h 4

7.        REFERENCES  PAGEREF _Toc191285450 \h 4

1.               PURPOSE

The purpose of this Section Command Memorandum is to establish procedures to be followed whenever VIP(s) are escorted into the restricted area of the airport for the purposes of boarding an aircraft or conducting a routine visit. Only those conducting OFFICIAL BUSINESS should be escorted into the SIDA or Sterile Area.

2.               POLICY

It is the policy of the Atlanta Police Airport Section, in compliance with Federal, State and local laws, to assist authorized VIPs in their movement in and through the airport.

3.               RESPONSIBILITIES

3.1              It is the responsibility of each employee to follow the procedures established in this Section Command Memorandum.

3.2              It is the responsibility of the officer providing the escort to insure the safe ingress and egress of all persons and vehicles to and from the restricted area.

4.               ACTION

4.1              Escort Request:

4.1.1           Agencies or individuals requesting an on-field escort shall be directed to the On-Duty Police Watch Supervisor.

4.1.2           If an On-Duty Police Supervisor is not immediately available the requesting individual’s information will be obtained and the On-Duty Supervisor will be contacted via radio.

4.1.3           The On-Duty Supervisor will review the escort request and if approved he/she will complete the Police Escort Request Form, sign the form as the approving Supervisor, and then forward to the appropriate Watch.  A copy of the Police Escort Request Form is attached.

4.2              Escort Request Log Book

4.2.1           Each Watch will maintain a logbook of all approved and completed escorts.  The logbook will be available for inspection by the section commander or his/her designee.

4.2.2           Upon completion of an escort, the Police Escort Request Form will be returned to the On-Duty Watch Supervisor (Handling Watch) for review and entry into the logbook.  Completed escort forms shall be maintained in the logbook for a period of not less than one year

4.3              Performance of Escorts for boarding an aircraft

4.3.1           Prior to assigning an officer to perform the escort, the On-Duty Watch Supervisor (Handling Watch) will ensure that:

1.    The involved airline is notified.   For Delta Airlines call Elite Services 404-714-5984 or the Delta Tower 404-714-7555.

2.    At least one hour prior to the escort arrival, contact TSA and request a private screening.  If TSA elects not to provide a private screening at the gate, the VIP will need to be screened through the main checkpoint and proceed to the gate as a normal passenger would.  TSA may be contacted at:  Main Checkpoint at 404-530-2150, 404-530-2154, TSA Command Center at 404-763-7437 or Dave Padlo at 404-275-4605.  These telephone numbers are for law enforcement use only.

3.    Ensure that an officer is assigned to handle the escort.

4.3.2           The Assigned Escort Officer will:

1.    Meet the person (s) at a designated guard post, usually guard post 79.  The officer will arrive at the designated guard post at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the expected arrival of the escorted person (s).

2.    If the escort involves Armed LEO’s who are not flying and are on OFFICIAL Business they may be brought into the Sterile Area and left unaccompanied until they are ready to exit the Sterile Area.  The unaccompanied Armed LEO’s are not allowed to enter the restricted area without escort.

3.    An unarmed individual on OFFICIAL Business cannot be left unaccompanied by the escort officer in the Sterile Area without undergoing Security Screening.

4.    At no time will anyone be unescorted in the restricted area that does not possess a valid “ATL” SIDA Badge.

4.4              Performance of other Escorts:

4.4.1           The On-Duty Police Supervisor may approve security or emergency escorts.

4.4.2           The Officer assigned to perform the escort will:

1.    Meet the person or persons to be escorted at a designated location.

2.     If the escort involves Armed LEO’s who are not flying and are on OFFICIAL Business they may be brought into the Sterile Area and left unaccompanied until they are ready to exit the Sterile Area. The unaccompanied Armed LEO’s are not allowed to enter the restricted area without escort.

3.    An unarmed individual on OFFICIAL Business cannot be left unaccompanied by the escort officer in the Sterile Area without undergoing Security Screening.

4.    At no time will anyone be unescorted in the restricted area that does not possess a valid “ATL” SIDA Badge.

4.5              Performance of Pickups:

4.5.1           All pickups will be approved by the on duty supervisor.

4.5.2           It is the responsibility of the officer performing the pickup to meet the person (s), who are conducting the pickup, at a designated guard post, usually guard post 79.  The officer will arrive at the designated guard post at least fifteen (15) minutes prior to the expected arrival of the escorted person(s).

4.5.3           The escorting officer will accompany or lead the person (s) to the appropriate boarding gate and remain with them until they meet the incoming party. If the escort involves Armed LEO’s who are not flying and are on OFFICIAL Business they may be brought into the Sterile Area and left unaccompanied until they are ready to exit the Sterile Area. The unaccompanied Armed LEO’s are not allowed to enter the restricted area without escort. If an escort involves an unarmed individual on OFFICIAL Business they cannot be left unaccompanied by the escort officer in the Sterile Area without undergoing Security Screening.   Under no circumstances will the officer leave anyone in the restricted area that does not possess a valid “ATL” SIDA Badge.

4.5.4           The officer will lead all escorted individuals out of the restricted area.

5.               DEFINITIONS

5.1              Authorized VIPs: individuals approved by the police watch supervisor to be escorted.  Example: Elected Public Officials or other individuals that may cause a security interest due to their public notoriety or political stance.

5.2              Escort: A situation where an officer accompanies a person (s) into the restricted area of the airport to board an aircraft or to meet an arriving individual and the escorted person by-passes  the screening checkpoint areas.

5.3              Pickup: A situation where an Officer meets a person or persons in the restricted area and accompanies that person (s) out of the restricted area.

5.4              Restricted Area: that portion of the airport where access is limited to individuals in possession of proper passes/credentials (Example: Valid “ATL” Badge, Valid Airline ID…).

5.5               Sterile Area: that portion of the airport that provides passengers access to boarding aircraft, it is all interior areas of the Terminal east of the Terminal Checkpoint and all of the Concourses.

5.6              TSA: Transportation Security Administration

6.               CANCELLATION

                  APD.CM.05.27, On-Field Escorts and Pickups

7.               REFERENCES

                  City of Atlanta Code of Ordinances Section 22

                  TSR 1542.211