If you want to see a prominent example of a federal agency that completely blunders truth in advertising on a daily basis, look no further than the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Since 2005, after being administratively reclassified without Congressional approval, our nation’s airport screeners have gone by the misleading title of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). This title falls short of any basic standard for truth in advertising by the mere fact that TSOs do not have any federal law enforcement training.
Scott McCartney from the Wall Street Journal once cited a survey showing that TSA staff responded best when called "officer" by passengers.
I my opinion, this is a red flag for sociopathy.
Although the studies are old, there is research to show the sociopaths are more likely to end up in certain professions. I would find it unsurprising if we gave the MMPI to a bunch of TSA staff (and matched controls) to see if the TSA employees are more likely to show sociopathic personality disorder.
We already know about their theft problems, impulsivity, struggles with anger management, commitment to unreasonable power dynamics, and obsession with being called "officer." This is all consistent with sociopathic behavior.
The archetypal sociopath takes pleasure in controlling the behavior of others.
Yes, I'm sure that many work for the TSA because they need a job, need benefits, etc., and I think many of them hate the work (and it shows.) But I'd put money on a significantly higher prevalence of sociopathy among their employees.
Removing the title and the badge are the first steps. It will never happen because that ship has sailed. I also think that presenting the job as "airport security," not "Homeland security" or "law enforcement" would be fair, accurate, and might attract employees who have clearer expectations about where their jobs begin and end. They're airport security guards, not soldiers in the protean "war on terror."
The best advice for dealing with sociopaths is avoidance. Too bad we're stuck with them.
If you want to see a prominent example of a federal agency that completely blunders truth in advertising on a daily basis, look no further than the Transportation Security Administration (TSA). Since 2005, after being administratively reclassified without Congressional approval, our nation’s airport screeners have gone by the misleading title of Transportation Security Officers (TSOs). This title falls short of any basic standard for truth in advertising by the mere fact that TSOs do not have any federal law enforcement training.
* red bolding mine
The above argument is just silly. The word 'officer' is used in many contexts that don't include [federal] law enforcement activities.
1
a obsolete : agent
b : one charged with police duties
2
: one who holds an office of trust, authority, or command <the officers of the bank> <chief executive officer>
3
a : one who holds a position of authority or command in the armed forces; specifically : commissioned officer
b : the master or any of the mates of a merchant or passenger ship
I would say that definition 2 is quite applicable to a TSO. A TSO does indeed hold an office of [public] trust. A TSO also holds an office of authority. [that is: a TSO does have the authority to grant or deny admittance to the 'sterile' area of an airport at which they are actively working.]
There are many reasons for questioning the mindset and/or activities of the TSA. This isn't one of them.
The above argument is just silly. The word 'officer' is used in many contexts that don't include [federal] law enforcement activities.
I would say that definition 2 is quite applicable to a TSO. A TSO does indeed hold an office of [public] trust. A TSO also holds an office of authority. [that is: a TSO does have the authority to grant or deny admittance to the 'sterile' area of an airport at which they are actively working.]
There are many reasons for questioning the mindset and/or activities of the TSA. This isn't one of them.
By the definition you provided, the clerks at DMV are 'officers'. They hold an office of public trust and they have the authority to grant or deny your driver's license based on their evaluation of the credentials you present (just like a TSA employee).
By the definition you provided, the clerks at DMV are 'officers'. They hold an office of public trust and they have the authority to grant or deny your driver's license based on their evaluation of the credentials you present (just like a TSA employee).
I've long made the comparison between DMV and TSA. Exactly the same, just as you describe. They decide you're not getting something, you're not getting it.
The above argument is just silly. The word 'officer' is used in many contexts that don't include [federal] law enforcement activities.
I would say that definition 2 is quite applicable to a TSO. A TSO does indeed hold an office of [public] trust. A TSO also holds an office of authority. [that is: a TSO does have the authority to grant or deny admittance to the 'sterile' area of an airport at which they are actively working.]
There are many reasons for questioning the mindset and/or activities of the TSA. This isn't one of them.
Definition 2 absolutely does not apply to to a TSO. It refers to a class of person that has specific legal requirements and is entrusted with specific decision making authority above and beyond the regular class of employee--they in fact are the public "face" of their company. A TSO in the context you mention has no more personal authority than a barker manning the admittance gate to a carnival.
The above argument is just silly. The word 'officer' is used in many contexts that don't include [federal] law enforcement activities.
I would say that definition 2 is quite applicable to a TSO. A TSO does indeed hold an office of [public] trust. A TSO also holds an office of authority. [that is: a TSO does have the authority to grant or deny admittance to the 'sterile' area of an airport at which they are actively working.]
There are many reasons for questioning the mindset and/or activities of the TSA. This isn't one of them.
First of all, the uniforms (badges, shoulder boards) makes obvious that the term "officer" when used in reference to TSA employees is to suggest law enforcement, as they purportedly perform security and enforcement duties at the checkpoint.
Also, you're completely misinterpreting the second definition.
The above argument is just silly. The word 'officer' is used in many contexts that don't include [federal] law enforcement activities.
There are many reasons for questioning the mindset and/or activities of the TSA. This isn't one of them.
One other point: your example references the 'officers' of a bank, or a corporate executive or financial 'officer'.
These people don't expect to be addressed as 'officer' or 'sir'.
Insisting on being addressed as 'officer' (or facing some degree of retaliatory conduct) takes this issue to a whole new level.
DHS gave these guys quasi-LE uniforms, badges and titles (without actual on-paper authority) to subtly encourage them to behave as though they are, in fact, military/LE officers with command and detention authority.
One other point: your example references the 'officers' of a bank, or a corporate executive or financial 'officer'.
These people don't expect to be addressed as 'officer' or 'sir'.
Insisting on being addressed as 'officer' (or facing some degree of retaliatory conduct) takes this issue to a whole new level.
DHS gave these guys quasi-LE uniforms, badges and titles (without actual on-paper authority) to subtly encourage them to behave as though they are, in fact, military/LE officers with command and detention authority.
No, TSA made them "officers" and dressed them similar to LEOs in an attempt to garner more respect from the flying public. Ma and Pa Kettle fell for it but discerning travelers saw right through the sham.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by petaluma1
No, TSA made them "officers" and dressed them similar to LEOs in an attempt to garner more respect from the flying public. Ma and Pa Kettle fell for it but discerning travelers saw right through the sham.
What's that adage about lipstick?
__________________
You cannot uphold American ideology with un-American actions. It's time for Change.
No, TSA made them "officers" and dressed them similar to LEOs in an attempt to garner more respect from the flying public. Ma and Pa Kettle fell for it but discerning travelers saw right through the sham.
Not to garner 'respect' (you earn and retain that through behavior), it was done to instill fear, and it's working.
Definition 2 absolutely does not apply to to a TSO. It refers to a class of person that has specific legal requirements and is entrusted with specific decision making authority above and beyond the regular class of employee--they in fact are the public "face" of their company. A TSO in the context you mention has no more personal authority than a barker manning the admittance gate to a carnival.
Yes, I agree that I misapplied definition 2 in this case.
And you are also correct that the TSO does not have any more personal authority than the person manning an admittance gate. How about we call them Transportation Security Agents? Or Transportation Security Officials [that way they can keep the TSO acronym]? Or Transportation Security Barkers? Would that change somehow make things better?
Quote:
Originally Posted by gobluetwo
-- SNIP --
First of all, the uniforms (badges, shoulder boards) makes obvious that the term "officer" when used in reference to TSA employees is to suggest law enforcement, as they purportedly perform security and enforcement duties at the checkpoint.
-- SNIP --
Lots of private security services, that don't have actual law enforcement authority/powers, have uniforms and badges for their employees. I see the use of uniforms, badges, shoulder boards, etc. by TSA no more nefarious than a private security firm doing the same.'
Quote:
Originally Posted by petaluma1
No, TSA made them "officers" and dressed them similar to LEOs in an attempt to garner more respect from the flying public. Ma and Pa Kettle fell for it but discerning travelers saw right through the sham.
Isn't this one of the reasons that uniforms are used in the first place. Aren't uniforms supposed to:
garner more respect from the public
make someone easily recognized as being a member of a group,
associate the attributes of that organization's reputation [and, potentailly the reputation of similar organizations] with the wearer of the uniform,
build pride in group membership among the group members,
impart a sense of professionalism/code [of conduct]/shared values/shared history among the group members,
Officer is just a word. It is used in different ways in different contexts. I see no harm in TSA using the word for a class of their employees. Just as I see no harm in referring to garbage collectors as sanitation engineers.
I still stand by my original assessment that: 'There are many reasons for questioning the mindset and/or activities of the TSA. [Using the word Officer] ... isn't one of them.'
Better take the badge away and take it off the "officer" tag.
First, you are not real Federal Officer. You are not work for Law Enforcement Officer.
Secondly, you are not charge. You are not the boss. You are work for the screeners.
Third, you were disrespected with those passengers. You are not allowed to ask the personal stuff. Never! Those passengers who had it rights. You are not asking about passengers where they will go through. They have kept privately. Minding your own business. Don't try to embarrassed on those passengers.
Better take the badge away and take it off the "officer" tag.
First, you are not real Federal Officer. You are not work for Law Enforcement Officer.
Secondly, you are not charge. You are not the boss. You are work for the screeners.
Third, you were disrespected with those passengers. You are not allowed to ask the personal stuff. Never! Those passengers who had it rights. You are not asking about passengers where they will go through. They have kept privately. Minding your own business. Don't try to embarrassed on those passengers.
