06.06.2003
Security people on bomb test

As something completely new, all security staff at Copenhagen Airports’ department for passenger and baggage security are to pass a demanding test every second year on how to detect all kinds of bombs and explosives in passenger bags. The Security Department decided in early 2003 to introduce a so-called ‘certification’ of all security staff whose work involves checks of passengers and their baggage.

Detection of weapons

During the spring, all department employees participated in extra training on how to detect various kinds of bombs, explosives and weapons, after which they had to pass a test. Only very few employees did not pass the test the first time, and they will now get additional training.

The special training is provided in a three-phased programme: Initially, the staff train on a computer showing X-rays of suitcases, some of which contain well hidden bombs. Then, the employees get extra training in using the special keyboard for the equipment used to X-ray baggage. Finally, a number of ‘real’ suitcases are run through the equipment, some of which contain fake bombs, which the employees must detect completely correct in order to pass the test.

Happy employees

“I am glad and impressed at how well things have gone – almost everybody passed the test in one go and felt that it was fun and instructive, and that it is reasonable that we have tightened the requirements,” says Niels Rasmussen, head of Airport Security at Copenhagen Airports A/S.

The EU is currently deliberating whether to tighten airport security in a number of fields, including the introduction of certifications and tests such as those already implemented at Copenhagen Airport.