Originally Posted by
srilm
Not commenting on any particular incident, but I would think that if a TSA officer is not conducting a specific search for evidence of crime, just for materials not permitted on an aircraft, it would be his duty as a citizen to turn any such information in to the appropriate authorities (i.e. airport police).
Just as I would expect a waiter at a restaurant to call the police if he took a man's coat and some illegal materials fell out.
The argument would be, I suppose, was the TSA officer conducting a search outside the parameters of his job?
SR
It isn't anyone's "duty as a citizen" to turn in crime, and there's certainly no legal requirement for a citizen to do so.
That said, some government employees are required (by law, regulation or policy) to report certain evidence of certain suspected crimes. In this case, it appears the TSA clerk did it by the book. Or was coached on how to testify so that it appears she did it by the book. Take your choice. In that hope springs eternal in the human breast, I prefer the former.
~~ Irish