hiltonhead, thanks for explanations. I'll have to return later tonight to digest them and perhaps phrase more questions.
One parallel that does come to mind is military installations: If I had legitimate access to a military base but then came under suspicion, how extensively can they search, detain and question? Any current or recent MP's out there? This might be the best parallel example (not withstanding "deadly force authorized"
areas).
Originally Posted by
donaghadee
A lot of authority comes from airport by-laws. At LHR an officer has the authoruity to require anyone to leave the airport (notice no reasonable cause is required - he can even require the CEO of the airport to do so). Failure to do so can lead to arrest and appearance before a court.
Airports are private property so by-laws are required to give police their authority
At LHR they aren't hampered by our Bill of Rights. Although the same rights and restraints were once part of the British legal system, they have evolved somewhat differently over the last 2 and quarter centuries.
I'm more concerned with the situation in the U.S., where most airport are public facilities. Access may be restricted, but we are still dealing with government officials in public places.