A new study conducted by the Department of Homeland Security found no evidence of racial profiling by the TSA at Logan International Airport in Boston. Credit: Nicolaus Czarnecki/Metro
The Transportation Security Administration did not specifically target minorities for extra screening at Logan International Airport, according to a new study conducted by the Department of Homeland Security.
The study examines the airport’s behavior detection program, which refers suspicious passengers for additional screening based on unusual question answers, body language and other suspicious behaviors.
The Boston Globe reports that 84 TSA officers were interviewed by homeland security, and only one indicated an instance of racial profiling.
“Profiling is not tolerated within the ranks of TSA, and the investigation found no evidence of profiling by behavior detection officers at Boston Logan International Airport,” according to TSA spokeswoman Ann Davis. “TSA has long made clear that profiling is not only discriminatory, but it is also an ineffective way to identify someone intent on doing harm. Officers are trained and audited to look for observable behaviors and behaviors alone.”
Despite the report’s findings, in 2012 eight TSA officers approached the American Civil Liberties Union claiming fellow officers sought out minorities during security checks.
Logan established the behavior detection program in 2003.
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