Thompson Inquires on Racial Profiling
(WASHINGTON) – Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, sent a letter to John S. Pistole, Administrator of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), regarding recent news reports that Behavior Detection Officers (BDOs) who work in the agency's Screening of Passengers by Observation Technique (SPOT) program were targeting Mexican travelers at Honolulu Airport. This is similar to news reports that originated from Newark New Jersey in June. Taken together, these reported actions raise concerns not only about the about the scientific validity of the SPOT program, but also about the training, curriculum and on-site supervision provided to the officers that administer it.
Previous letters regarding SPOT and Newark Incident:
June letter to TSA re: Newark Incident
TSA Response August letter to TSA re: SPOT 'chat-downs'
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Media Contact: Adam Comis at (202) 225-9978
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