Policy Text
Roll Call Training Bulletin
Produced by: Detective Ryan Enkoji , SPD Criminal Int elligence Unit
Prepared by: Officer Obed Magny , PSU Sam Somers Jr., Chief of Police
Volume 44
July 22 , 2016
Flying Armed
Background
The purpose of this training bulletin is to provide officers with the information regarding the requirements for
flying armed.
Flying Armed Regulations and Requirements
In order to fly armed, federal regulation (Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Section 1544.219 ) states
that a law enforcement officer must meet all of the following:
Be a federal law enforcement officer or a full -time municipal, county, state, tribal or territorial law
enforcement officer who i s a direct government agency employee.
Be sworn and commissioned to enforce criminal or immigration status.
Be authorized by the employing agency to have the weapon in connection with assigned duties.
Have completed the TSA “Law Enforcement Officer Flying Armed Training Course.”
In addition the above requirements, the officer must present an operational “need” to have the weapon
accessible on a specific flight segment (versus in checked -baggage). The “need” must be determined by
the employing agency and bas ed on one of the following:
Assigned to a protective duty as a principal or advance team, or on travel required to be prepared to
engage in a protective function.
Conducting a hazardous surveillance operation.
On official travel with a requirement to repor t to another location armed and prepared for duty immediately
upon landing.
Employed as a federal law enforcement officer, whether or not on official travel, and armed in accordance
with agent -wide policy.
Escorting a prisoner in custody, or on a round tri p ticket returning from escorting a prisoner.
Traveling to pick up a prisoner.
Notification R equirements
Officers wishing to flying armed must submit an “original” letter of authority, signed by their supervisor
confirming the need to travel armed (pursua nt to Title 49 CFR 1544.219 ), and a detailed flight itinerary.
Once officers have the letter, they shall co ntact the Warrants Division to submit a National Law
Enforcement Telecommunications System (NLETS) request message , at least 24 hours prior to trave l. If
the request is needed after business hours or on weekends, officers shall contact Warrants Radio (Control
9).
Notify the aircraft operator at least 1 -hour prior to your flight departure, or in an emergency, as soon as
practicable.
Identify yourself to the aircraft operator with approved credentials. A badge, shield, or similar device
(alone) may not be used or accepted as the sole means of identification.
The aircraft operator may ask to see the law enforcement officer’s original agency letter stati ng the need
to fly armed.
The aircraft operator may issue a “Notice of LEO flying armed” form to the LEO. If required, fill-out the
aircraft operator’s flying armed form completely and accurately and sign it . Present the form to the flight
crew upon boardi ng the aircraft for every segment of your flight itinerary.
Denied boarding with a weapon
An aircraft operator has the option to refuse to transport a law enforcement officer who is armed. If that
happens, you should be prepared to place your weapon and am munition in “checked” baggage.
If you have any questions please call or email the Criminal Intelligence Unit at 808 -0720 or
spd_ciu@pd.cityofsacramento.org