Unsung Heroes: The Tampa airport police chief on being a better traveler — and staying out of jail
Editor's Note
With more than 60,000 passengers, employees, and visitors passing through each day (90,000 in pre-pandemic, 'normal' times), Tampa International Airport (TPA) is like a city. And, as in any city, small or large, there are community standards and laws that must be obeyed. These days that includes following the federal mandate to wear a mask covering your face and nose while in the airport.
The federal mandate has been extended to January 18, 2022, and at TPA anyone who refuses to comply with that rule must ultimately deal with TPA Police Chief Charlie Vazquez and his team of 81 officers.
We sat down with Charlie Vazquez to get the 411 on some of the duties of an airport police chief, airport crime, TPA's "mask blitzes," and where he'd like to go on vacation.
Unsung hero: Charlie Vazquez, Director of Public Safety and Security/ Chief of Police at Tampa International Airport (TPA)
TPG: What was your path to become Chief of Police at Tampa International Airport?
CZ: Before coming here I was with the Houston Police Department for 24 years. I retired from there in 2017 as Assistant Police Chief and have been at Tampa International Airport as Director of Public Safety and Security/Chief of Police for four and half years.
TPG: What sort of responsibilities does your job entail?
CZ: We enforce all laws and some federal regulation. And we provide for the safety, security, and mobility of passengers and employees at the airport. A lot of people are surprised that the airport even has its own police department. We arrest people every day, some people for theft, some people for warrants.
With 60,000 people coming through the airport everyday you're always going to have issues. Sometimes just disturbances, misunderstandings, and people who have no business being here. Occasional there are assaults. And there is theft. Lucky for us the whole airport is under video surveillance, so we have a very high clearance rate for property crimes. And yes, we do have a jail on property.
Related: FAA reaches $1 million benchmark in fines issued to unruly passengers
TPG: Do you get involved when a firearm is found at a security checkpoint?
CZ: Yes. It happens quite a bit, several times a week. Here in Hillsboro County if you have a permit to carry a concealed weapon [CCW] more than likely you will not be arrested. More than likely, we'll escort you off the airside. But if you don't have a CCW, it becomes a felony, and you will be arrested.
TPG: We hear a lot of stories about the rise of unruly passengers on airplanes. Do you see that reflected in the airport?
CZ: Yes, it seems to be people are not as nice, or they're aggravated with each other. There does seem to be an uptick in it and lot of it is related to masks.
TPG: How has your team been dealing with passengers who don't wear masks?
CZ: Wearing masks is technically not a law, it's a federal mandate that we help enforce.
If you won't put on your mask and the airline or the airport tells you to leave and you don't, then it becomes a crime of trespassing and that's usually when we get involved. The last thing we want to do is put people in jail over a mask, so we give reminders to people to put their mask on, explain the mandate and why it is important, and tell them what will happen to them if they don't comply. So far, we haven't had to arrest anyone for trespassing because they haven't put on the mask.
Related: Mask mandate during air travel, other public transport will be extended until January
TPG: We understand that TPA has mask minders who do regular "mask blitzes' in the airport?
CZ: For about a month now we've been sending out teams to let people know that we are enforcing the mandate. We all meet at a centralized location, we all get masks to pass out, and we each take a territory – baggage, rental car center, airside – and in teams of two or three we go around to tell people to put on their masks. They call it a "mask blitz," but it is more like a target enforcement action or a mask audit. We're not about mean mugging people or staring at them; we approach them and remind them to wear their mask indoors. No one really wants to be the mask police – especially the police.
TPG: From your experience as a police chief, what advice can you give people who want to be better passengers?
CZ: My advice would be to read and pay attention to all the dos and don'ts from the TSA, the airport, and the airlines. Pay attention to where you leave your phone, your computer, your iPads, and your other belongings at the airport. We have a lot of laptops left in restrooms. And sometimes people loading luggage into their cars at curbside leave a bag behind. Mostly, understand that there's extra pressure now for everyone – including the airline staff and even the police – so be kind to your fellow traveler.
Related: You're not crazy: Loss of travel is causing people to feel stress and anxiety
TPG: How has working in the airport changed your idea about traveling?
CZ: I allow for a lot more than time than I did before, because I understand things don't always go as planned. And I've learned to be nicer to other people traveling, because I've seen the other side of things. Sometimes you're traveling to a funeral or a bad event, or you are going to being separated from someone for a long time. Airports are very emotional places.
TPG: If you could go anywhere in the world, on vacation where would it be?
CZ: I can still remember Miss Coleman's third grade Social Studies class where she showed us a little town in Holland that had an attraction where the city was made in miniature. I can't remember right now which town that was, but I'd like to go see that miniature city. ()
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.