The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "Federal Air Marshal Service" ...
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Air Marshals: Undercover and Under Arrest
The Federal Air Marshal Service presents the image of an elite undercover force charged with making life-and-death decisions that demand sound judgment. ProPublica found that dozens of air marshals have been charged with crimes, including 18 felonies, and hundreds more have been accused of misconduct. Cases include smuggling drugs past airport security, aiding a human trafficking ring, child sex abuse, bribery, drunken driving, domestic violence, holding an escort against her will during an overnight layover, solicitation to commit murder and voyeurism after one air marshal was caught taking photos of women's genitals on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.
Tags: air marshals; Transportation Safety Agency; human trafficking; child sex abuse; drunken driving; domestic violence; criminal convictions
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Policing the Air Marshals
"The Federal Air Marshal Service presents the image of an elite undercover force charged with making life and death decisions that demand sound judgment. ProPublica found that dozens of federal air marshals have been charged with crimes, including 18 felonies, and hundreds more have been accused of misconduct."
Tags: military; air marshals; corruption; loose hiring practices; felonies; criminal records
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Failure In the Sky
20/20 and ABC News report on the "fatally flawed" air marshal system, even getting an air marshal to speak, undisguised and on the record. The marshals are intended to be anonymous, but the marshal, Spencer Pickard, notes the rules for the air marshals include staying in the same hotels, a dress code that prohibits jeans and sneakers, and "airport boarding procedures that force air marshals to identify themselves as passengers watch." These rules can compromise their anonymity, and render them targets for terrorists rather than the hidden lawmen they are intended to be. The story resulted in a review of policy by the Federal Air Marshal Service, and an eventual relaxing of the dress code and hotel policy. But a solution regarding the boarding procedures is still pending.
Tags: Federal Air Marshal Service; terrorism; plane hijacks; air marshals; security; airport and airline security
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Federal Air Marshals; System Failure
An exposed look at the public safety failures inside the Federal Air Marshal service. Some current and former air marshals that were interviewed said that "any diligent terrorist organizations could easily identify and single out flying federal air marshals under current regulations."
Tags: air marshal; airport security; terminal; national security;