Deputy Police Chief Stopped by TSA For Carry-On Bag Containing Department-Issued Firearm

An official with the Kauaʿi Police Department was recently stopped by Transportation Security Administration representatives while going through security to catch a flight at Līhuʿe Airport.

According to a news release from police, Deputy Police Chief Stan Olsen was stopped at about 6:45 a.m. April 8 by TSA representatives at the airport for passing a carry-on bag containing his department-issued firearm through a TSA checkpoint.

Based on preliminary information, the release said, Olsen carries a backpack to work with a safe-keeping pocket that holds his firearm. Olsen failed to remove the firearm prior to checking in at Līhuʿe Airport.

The release said TSA agents detected the firearm in his backpack as Olsen passed through the security checkpoint. He was released to travel to the mainland for a personal matter. The firearm was held for safekeeping and released to the Kauaʿi Police Department.

No citation or arrest was made.

TSA is the lead agency investigating the incident. An internal investigation by the Kauaʿi Police Department will determine if department policies were violated related to this incident.