The Airport Police District operates from modern headquarters at ground level between the airport's C and D Terminals. The station has a cellblock and facilities for prisoner interviews.
From the station, officers traveling on foot and in cars patrol the concourses and parking garages, and direct traffic. They are considered the first line of defense during emergencies.
None of the police operates the concourse security checkpoints, although they are often near them.
Right now, each airline contracts with private firms for security. The largest firm is International Total Services Inc., which contracts with US Airways, the largest carrier. The firm's 290 workers screen passengers and bags at four of the airport's six terminal checkpoints. The remaining two terminals are operated by other private companies.
In an interview after the terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, airport spokesman Mark Pesce said police officers would be more visible throughout the airport.
Speaking about security issues yesterday outside Police Headquarters, Timoney did not mention the airport increase. Commanders routinely withhold staffing numbers.
The commissioner said that in the case of an emergency such as a biochemical attack, he wanted to ensure that the first officers who arrive know what they are doing.
"What we want them to do is really just kind of isolate and contain, keep people away until the people who have been trained take over," Timoney said.
While some security changes are being considered at Police Headquarters, Timoney said he had no plans to create a "bunker mentality."
"It's still America. People come in here for all sorts of legitimate reasons for business, for permits, for fingerprints . . . and I don't think we need to go that far yet," he said.
Thomas J. Gibbons Jr.'s e-mail address is tgibbons@phillynews.com.
