Policeman took gun on Virgin Blue flight
A report in The Sydney Morning Herald says that Sydney Airport security has come under fire after an armed police officer was able to board a flight to the Gold Coast.
The uniformed officer, who was on duty at the time, was allowed through airport security wearing his police-issue Glock weapon and 30 rounds of ammunition to board a Virgin Blue flight on Tuesday morning.
The police appointment belt also consists of handcuffs, capsicum spray and a retractable baton.
Under standard procedures, police officers must hand in their weapons to be stored in a secure bag in the luggage hold area.
But Sydney Airports Corporation spokesman Michael Samaras said police officers were “exempt” from being searched by security.
“Under Australian aviation security regulations, NSW police officers when in uniform and on duty are exempt from security screening at Sydney Airport,” Mr Samaras said.
He said he could not comment further on the security issue.
An Australian Federal Police spokeswoman confirmed the officer carried a firearm on board the aircraft during the two-hour flight and said they were looking into the security breach.
They have handed over the investigation of the incident to the NSW Police Force.
A NSW Police spokeswoman said the officer checked in his weapons on the return flight.
A Report by The Mole from The Sydney Morninh Herald
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