If I recall, one of the reasons for changing the position description to "Officer" was so that would allow screeners more mobility to other positions because their TSA experience would now qualify under some category that would make it easier to enter real law-enforcement-type positions. Along with the police-style uniforms, it was also intended to help deceive the traveling public that they were real LEO's, to help them get more "respect". I think there was even a TSA spokesman that publicly stated something of the sort.