FIELD OPERATIONS BUREAU

Airport Operations
The Midland International Airport is operated by the City of Midland and is located approximately 10 miles west of Midland and 10 miles east of Odessa.  The Airport is approximately 330 miles from Dallas and 300 miles from El Paso, Texas.

Thirteen sworn police officers are assigned to the Airport Division.  A lieutenant, two sergeants, and ten police officers staff the Division.  The Division is divided into two squads.  Each squad has one sergeant and five police officers with one officer being an overlap slot.

The Airport Division is responsible for providing security to civil aviation through enforcement of Transportation Security Administration  (TSA) and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) regulations.  Police officers patrol the Airport Sector 24 hours a day.  The officers enforce city ordinances, state laws and federal laws.  Other duties for Airport police officers include enforcing speed zones, responding to alarms and enforcing parking ordinances.

The FAA mandates the Airport to conduct a full scale Emergency Disaster Drill according to federal regulations once every three years.  Other drills are held periodically.  The drills involves numerous entities such as the City of Midland Airport Operations, Fire Department, Police Department, Federal Agencies along with surrounding Fire and Law Enforcement Agencies in the Permian Basin. 

Extra duties for Airport Division officers include safeguarding the public at special events such as the Commemorative Air Force AirSho held in October each year.   The Airsho draws approximately 36,000 visitors to the Permian Basin each year from all over the world. In addition, officers take part in protection for frequent dignitary visitors such as former President George W. Bush and Mrs. Bush.