An astonishing one in every three Transportation Security Administration agents have been accused of misconduct. The Department of Homeland Security released a report referring to the TSA on July 7 displaying the growth of misconduct that threatens the security of fliers.
The report cited “seemingly continuous scandals,” some of the incidents included federal air marshals using government funded money to pay for hotel rooms and prostitutes, officers smuggling objects such as marijuana, narcotics, and undocumented immigrants through security checkpoints and unaccountable bonuses.
“Data shows that the misconduct has grown over time,” the report states. From 2010 to 2012 reports of misconducts increased 27 percent while from 2013 to 2015 there was an increase of 29 percent. Even with recommendations within the agency to reduce and manage behavior, reported incidents still rose.
In 2015, there were 17,627 allegations of conduct ranging from, bribery to unexcused absences, large-scale drug smuggling and even child pornography. Between 2013 and 2015, misconduct allegations nearly doubled.
Federal security directors called the negligence “devastating” and just as disturbing, the report had no explanation to why the misconduct has been mishandled from the TSA officials who were interviewed.
“TSA could not explain to Committee staff … why employees might have a significant number of complaints filed against them, nor why headquarters had not identified or
handled these repeat offenders,” the report states.
The report closed with identifying the “TSA needs bold reform, led by senior officials with a strong commitment and willingness to change in the face of criticism in order for lasting, positive change to take hold.” Many proposals were included for recommendation to allow the TSA to deter future misconducts and succeeds in protecting the flying public.
Lauren Spiler is a freelance journalist based in Athens, Georgia, but most call her Spiler.