LOS ANGELES AIRPORT POLICE OFFICER KELLY WASHINGTON TO BE RECOGNIZED BY ELKS LODGE OF WESTCHESTER

(Los Angeles, California – March 13, 2012)  Los Angeles Airport Police Officer Kelly Washington, a 14-year veteran assigned to Vulnerability Assessment and Analysis Unit (VAAU) since 2001, will be recognized on March 13, 2012, at the Westchester Elks Lodge Law Enforcement Appreciation Night.  Officer Washington joined Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA) Police Division in 1998, but has been a Los Angeles City employee for 24 years.

            Officer Washington began his career with Los Angeles Airport Police in 1998 and promoted to Field Training Officer in 2000.  In 2001, he was appointed to the Airport Security Coordination Unit (ASCU), now known as VAAU, a division of the Los Angeles Airport Police’s Office of Homeland Security and Intelligence and is assigned to cargo facilities. His knowledge of the Airport Security Program, Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and LAX’s Rules and Regulations has allowed him toserve as the VAAU’s lead instructor in LAWA’s Vehicle Inspection Training, and Escort Policy Training classes.  He is continuously conducts training classes or briefings for Airport Police, airlines and tenants to ensure the safest environment possible for all those working and traveling at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).

           He has also been instrumental in the assessment and implementation of the Transportation Security Administration Cargo security measures,in addition to developing the first ever Cargo Task Force, which is now a multi-agency cargo security program adopted at other airports nationwide.  He currently oversees the program at LAX.    

Los Angeles Airport Police Chief Michael T. Hyams, who will speak at the event tonight, said, “ Officer Washington is the type of officer who all police chiefs want. He is a leader, reliable and an expert in what he does.  I can trust him to make good decisions in difficult situations.  He is a problem solver, not a problem creator. We are all fortunate to have Kelly on our team.”

Sergeant Jorge Montenegro, who supervised Officer Washington while at VAAU said “Officer Washington serves the LAX Community without waver or question.  He responds to and addresses matters immediately and finds out what’s necessary to know if he doesn’t have the answers”. 

“His knowledge and his ability to learn the job of his peers, as well as his leadership skills, have allowed him to serve as Acting Officer in Charge when supervision is not available,” said Sergeant Anthony Boisselle, a former VAAU supervisor.  

Los Angeles Airport Police is the fourth largest law enforcement agency in Los Angeles County with more than 1,100 law enforcement, security and staff personnel.  Los Angeles Airport Police is a division of Los Angeles World Airports, the City department that owns and operates three airports in Southern California: LAX, LA/Ontario International (ONT), and Van Nuys (general aviation).