A Vancouver police officer traveling on a work assignment was stopped and then interviewed when airport security at Portland International Airport spotted a handgun in her bag, according to officials.
On Sunday, Port of Portland Police Department officer Anthony Byrd went to the ABC gates checkpoint at PDX on a report of a loaded firearm, according to a report written by Byrd.
A Transportation Security Administration screener “advised she was operating the X-ray when she saw what appeared to be a firearm in a bag,” the report says.
The owner of the firearm, Jamie Haske, told the officer that she herself was an officer with VPD and “forgot that the pistol was in her bag,” the report says. Byrd wrote that he later removed the gun from the bag; he described it as a Glock pistol with an ammunition magazine loaded with six rounds and its chamber clear.
“Haske said she had packed the purse the day before and said that she always carries the gun in that pocket of her purse,” the report says. “Haske said she had forgotten about the firearm when she was coming to the airport.”
Haske reportedly contacted a friend who picked up the gun.
VPD spokeswoman Kim Kapp said in an email that Haske is a detective, and she was traveling as part of her assignment. When asked for clarification, Kapp referred The Columbian to officials at the airport but confirmed VPD would be conducting its own internal investigation.
Kama Simonds, Port of Portland media relations manager, said there was nothing criminal about the incident.
Travelers who attempt to bring firearms through an airport security checkpoint can be arrested and fined up to $11,000. But stowing certain firearms with checked baggage is allowed.
During the week of Nov. 27 through Dec. 3, TSA agents at PDX discovered three other firearms in carry-on bags: two 9 mm handguns and a .38, according to a weekly report.
