The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) cannot show deployment and use of its Passenger Screening Canine (PSC) teams provide effective security at passenger screening checkpoints. Specifically, TSA: has not determined the number of teams needed to provide security and mitigate risks because it does not identify and document mission needs, capability gaps, and operational goals for deploying the teams; may not be allocating PSC teams to the highest risk airports because it does not properly justify and document allocation decisions, has not determined whether the limited use of PSC teams provides sufficient security because it cannot justify the teams as the best, most cost-effective checkpoint security; and cannot be assured airports are using PSC teams properly because it does not adequately oversee TSA management operations at airports.
Open Recommendations
| Recommendation Number | Significant Recommendation | Recommended Questioned Costs | Recommended Funds for Better Use | Additional Details | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No | $0 | $0 | ||
| We recommend the Transportation Security Administration Executive Assistant Administrator, Security Operations, develop a detailed Passenger Screening Canine plan and implement policies to: a. identify and document the canine program's current operational capability needs and number of Passenger Screening Canine teams necessary for effective checkpoint screening; b. formalize a documented methodology to justify Passenger Screening Canine team allocation decisions; c. create a formal process to analyze and document capabilities of Passenger Screening Canine teams and justify whether the teams or other options provide the best, cost-effective security at checkpoints; and d. hold Federal Security Directors accountable for using the teams as intended by the National Explosives Detection Canine Team Program to maintain effectiveness. Additionally, TSA should establish a process to ensure local compliance with this guidance | |||||
