It's every air traveler's fear: Transportation Security Administration officers might get an eyeful of their private parts when they step into full-body scanning machines.
That is apparently what has been happening on a regular basis — at least during TSA training sessions — and earlier this week it led one Miami International Airport transportation security officer to allegedly attack a co-worker with a baton.
The co-worker had been making fun of the size of the officer's genitals, according to Miami-Dade police.
The security officer, Rolando Negrin, 44, hit Hugo Osorno, 34, in a parking lot on Tuesday night after the two had been training to use the body-imaging devices, according to a police report released on Thursday.
Negrin told police other co-workers also had made fun of his manhood on a daily basis over a long period of time, and "he could not take the jokes anymore and lost his mind," according to the report.
Before the incident, Negrin and Osorno had taken a shuttle bus from the airport terminal to the employee parking lot, the report said.
Negrin told Osorno he wanted respect and struck him on the arm and back with the baton, causing bruises and abrasions. Negrin then ordered Osorno to kneel down and "say you're sorry," the report said.
Osorno told police he did so because he was in fear for his life. The incident was witnessed by other airport workers, who called the police.
Negrin was arrested on Wednesday at an airport security checkpoint and charged with aggravated battery. The TSA has suspended him and said it is conducting its own internal inquiry.
"TSA has a zero-tolerance policy for workplace violence," TSA spokesman Jonathon Allen said in a statement.
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http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/florida/fl-miami-airport-screeners-20100506,0,6812354.story
