TSA Gives Head of Security the Boot
- By Sydny Shepard
- May 24, 2016
The Transportation Security Administration moved on May 24 to address the issue of long lines at the nation’s airports, dramatically deciding to replace the head of security and creating a centralized incident command team at TSA headquarters.
Kelly Hoggan, the agency’s assistant administrator for security operations since 2013 has been replaced by Darby LaJoye who previously worked as a deputy assistant TSA administrator and a top security official at two of the world’s busiest airports, Los Angeles International Airport and JFK in New York.
Hoggan, who has been the focus of many security debates including staffing and pay decisions, was reassigned to new duties.
TSA Administrator Peter Neffenger and Homeland Security Jeh Johnson promised that more than 300 extra TSA officers would be reassigned to Chicago’s airports by mid-August, a move that was a direct result of the hundreds of passengers stranded in Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport this month. 58 of those TSA agents will be arriving within the next three weeks.
In addition to the reassigned workers, 100 part-time workers at O’Hare will be promoted to full-time. Neffenger also said a new leadership team has been put in place at O’Hare, bolstered by screening experts from airports across the country.
TSA has also established a National Incident Command Center at the agency’s headquarters in Washington, D.C. The center will track daily screening operations and will have the authority to shift officers and other resources as passenger volume increases.
About the Author
Sydny Shepard is the Executive Editor of Campus Security & Life Safety.