In an interview during a courtesy call with lawmakers yesterday, Walker said it is important for CNMI’s airports to have someone with his experience “because I see personally what could happen when the wrong people get on the airplane.”
Having spent 25 years with the U.S. Air Force, Walker worked with offices involved in investigation, intelligence and anti-terrorism.
He was the vice commander of Air Force Special Investigation in Region 3. Upon his retirement, he became chief of police in Clarksville, Illinois. He was also an assistant special agent in-charge of the Department of Defense’s criminal investigative task force, a group that deals with the criminal investigation of Guantanamo Bay detainees.
Walker said he saw first-hand what damage the “wrong passengers” could cause once they took control of an airplane.
“So anytime you can have somebody who has this kind of experience, we’re going to be better off. The more experience that we have with our officers here and with me as the director, we’re going to be better off. It is good for us, good for TSA and it will be good for the CNMI,” he said.
He said it is very important to make sure that cargo and the people that get on the plane are the right cargo and the right people.
One of the challenges he now faces is striking a balance between professionalism and courtesy while getting the work done.
“It is very important that we do our job professionally and we are courteous when we do it,” he said.
Senate President Paul A. Manglona, Ind.-Rota, and Speaker Eli D. Cabrera, R-Saipan, welcomed Walker to the CNMI.
Senate Floor Leader Pete P. Reyes, R-Saipan, mentioned an incident many years ago when a top CNMI government official was arrested at the Saipan airport for carrying lime, which locals use for betelnut. At that time, he said the substance was considered a “minor drug.”
Reyes said the arrest was a big issue then, and even became headline news in Hawaii.
He told Walker that lime, which is made from coral and sea shells, is used for chewing betelnut.
Walker said he looks forward to know more about the local culture.
Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinian, told Walker that some tourists had a bad experience with some federal personnel at the Saipan airport.
He asked Walker to “please be sensitive with our tourism, which is our remaining industry here.”
Walker assured Hofschneider that such incidents will be addressed immediately by himself.
Right now, TSA has 90 employees and 95 percent of them are locals.
“I have been very impressed with how the staffers are working right now. I think they are doing a good job and we will continue to do a good job,” he said.
