The Orlando International Airport is exploring creating its own dedicated police force rather than relying on the Orlando Police Department to handle law enforcement duties.
Such a model would follow other large airports that have their own police units, including those in Los Angeles, Dallas and Tampa.
“This is a strategic step toward building a law enforcement model tailored specifically to the unique environment of an international airport,” said Jonathan Cute, vice president of security for the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority, which oversees the Orlando airport.
The aviation authority’s board voted this past week to begin conversations about the shift. For years, the authority has paid for law enforcement services through an agreement with the Orlando Police Department.
Proponents of standalone airport police departments say they allow for specialized training, align the force with airport leadership and streamline relationships with other agencies. City police officers stationed at the airport could be reassigned to neighborhoods in need of increased patrols.
Shawn Dunlap, a spokesman for Orlando’s police union, voiced his support for the idea of an MCO police department.
“OPD has long provided decades of strong service at MCO,” said Dunlap of the Fraternal Order of Police Orlando Lodge #25. “However, a standalone police department could possibly offer GOAA greater flexibility and long-term stability as the airport continues to grow.”
An airport police department would play an important public safety role in Central Florida. With more than 57 million annual passengers, Orlando International is the ninth busiest airport in the country.
Airport officials expect that number will grow, with more than $6 billion in improvements planned for the next decade, including additional parking and passenger amenities.
“Because the airport operates as a mini city, with its own 911 center, fire services, and other infrastructure support, exploring the creation of a police unit is appropriate and a natural progression,” said Angela Starke, an airport spokeswoman, in an email.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer said he’s open to discussions about an airport police department, but he’s unsure of what the outcome will be. He said the change wouldn’t happen overnight.
“It would come over a very considerable amount of time, because they would have to hire everything from a police chief on down to the boots on the ground,” said Dyer, a member of the GOAA board.
The aviation authority budgeted $35 million for the police department’s services during the 2026 fiscal year, according to airport officials. They haven’t developed an estimate yet of how much it would cost to form and operate their own department.
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The airport’s proposed four-year transition plan calls for a phased approach that would include recruiting and training specialized airport officers and developing the new department’s policies and procedures.
The board’s vote only authorized airport staff to explore the feasibility of an airport police department. No final decisions have been made.
Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, also a GOAA board member, encouraged a careful examination of staffing. The former Orange County sheriff and Orlando police chief said a larger agency can easily fill vacancies by reallocating resources from other operations. But a smaller agency would have a fewer options and possibly a harder time filling open positions, if they occur, he said.