SLC police release videos showing airport officers being assaulted

SALT LAKE CITY — Two videos showing officers from the Salt Lake City Police Department Airport Division being assaulted were released by the department on Tuesday.

The videos show incidents from Feb. 17 and March 12 at the Salt Lake City International Airport and come after a jump in incidents involving unruly passengers.

“These incidents show a total disregard for basic dignity and respect. This conduct can put our officers, airline passengers and airport employees at risk, and I hope these types of assaults end now,” said SLCPD Chief Mike Brown. “I’d like to recognize and thank our partners at TSA and Salt Lake City International Airport who responded quickly, maintained awareness of the airport during this incident and directed other officers to the scene. Their partnership is vital to maintaining the welcoming, safe and efficient airport we have.”

“It breaks my heart to see these kinds of things happen to my officers,” said Capt. Stefhan Bennett with the SLCPD Airport Division. 

The first incident occurred after a 28-year-old man rushed past Transportation Security Administration officers screening passengers in the security checkpoint area.

Police say the SLCPD officer, a four-year veteran of the force, intervened to stop the man from entering the secure area of the airport, and the man repeatedly punched and kicked the officer.

(NOTE: the security footage from Feb. 17 starts after the man bypasses TSA’s Travel Document Checking podium at the entrance to the security checkpoint. That portion of the video is exempt from disclosure for security and investigative purposes.)

Enrique Rodriguez, an airline passenger and retired law enforcement officer, saw the incident and jumped in to assist the SLCPD officer.

“The gentleman kicked the police officer off of him. And since the officer was alone in the fight and he was staggering, I decided to jump in to help them out,” Rodriguez said. “Instincts took over from a law enforcement and from human aspect.”

“I’m very thankful that he was able to step in,” Bennett said.

SLCPD officials say they have forwarded the case to the FBI and the United States Attorney’s Office for federal prosecution, adding the man was not a ticketed passenger and had no business at the airport.

They also emphasized the man attempted to breach security, but he did not get outside the screening area and there was no impact on airport operations.

“TSA is grateful to our airport law enforcement partners who play an important role in operations at SLC,” said Matt Davis, TSA federal security director for Utah. “TSA takes a zero-tolerance approach to threats, verbal abuse and physical violence of any kind against our employees. We have the same expectation for the SLCPD officers who work alongside us every day.”

The second incident occurred on March 12 when police say a 33-year-old man approached two SLCPD officers as they patroled the lower level of the airport concourse on foot.

“The man, without warning, dropped his bag and punched an officer in the head, nearly knocking him to the ground,” police said. “After the punch, the man turned his attention toward the second officer and appeared to throw a second punch but immediately transitioned into a position of surrender and put his hands up.”

“The targeting of my officers, especially in the second incident, is extremely concerning to me,” Bennett said.

The man was taken into custody and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail on a charge of assaulting an officer.

Both incidents remain under investigation.

Police say resisting arrest and assaults on police officer cases in Salt Lake City increased 16.33% last year. SLCPD officials added they are working to fill all vacant positions in the department.