Police: Extra Officers At DIA Won't Hurt Response
Police Say They Have Enough Staff To Cover Needs
POSTED: 6:12 p.m. MDT October 8, 2001
UPDATED: 7:24 p.m. MDT October 8, 2001
DENVER -- Increased police presence at Denver International Airport is making flying safer, and it isn't taking officers away from Denver neighborhoods, according to authorities.
The police department in Denver's district three said that it is a stretch, but they are able to absorb the extra work.
Since the terrorist attack, 20 Denver police officers have been transferred to DIA to fill new positions there. Other officers are helping by working extra off-duty hours at the airport.
So far, police haven't tallied the cost. Authorities expect airport funds will pay for the extra security, and it won't come out of the police budget.
Two or three officers were pulled from each of Denver's districts to fill the airport posts, but those district duties are being handled by other officers working overtime.
"It doesn't affect the citizenry at all. The response times are the same, there are the same number of officers staffing the cars. It's just the same," Sgt. Tony Lombard of the Denver police said.
As for the future, police said that circumstances and the FAA will determine how long the extra security stays in place.
Police policy limits Denver officers to 24 off-duty hours per week, and police said that right now, there are plenty of officers ready and willing to fill the needed positions.
Since the terrorist attack, 20 Denver police officers have been transferred to DIA to fill new positions there. Other officers are helping by working extra off-duty hours at the airport.
So far, police haven't tallied the cost. Authorities expect airport funds will pay for the extra security, and it won't come out of the police budget.
Two or three officers were pulled from each of Denver's districts to fill the airport posts, but those district duties are being handled by other officers working overtime.
"It doesn't affect the citizenry at all. The response times are the same, there are the same number of officers staffing the cars. It's just the same," Sgt. Tony Lombard of the Denver police said.
As for the future, police said that circumstances and the FAA will determine how long the extra security stays in place.
Police policy limits Denver officers to 24 off-duty hours per week, and police said that right now, there are plenty of officers ready and willing to fill the needed positions.
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