Dulles police officers out after administrative, criminal investigations 

Many police officers at Dulles International Airport suddenly were fired or resigned after what the airport calls administrative and criminal investigations.

The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority has its own police department with 225 officers, and weeks ago, eight of them left.

MWAA said in a statement their criminal and administrative investigations into allegations of possible misconduct and MWAA policy violations began in August, adding, in part, after the administrative investigation “eight officers have been separated from employment”

“The criminal investigation has been completed and will be referred to the Loudoun County Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney for review,” the statement said.

Citing privacy and legal concerns, MWAA didn’t add more detail.

But the I-Team learned from a source with direct knowledge of the investigation that it centers on allegations of illegal or improper payments from limo or ride-share drivers to officers. The goal, according to the source, was to let those drivers solicit rides in the terminal, which is against airport rules and against the law, which MWAA police officers are supposed to enforce at the airport.

The way it normally works is the passenger calls a limo service or ride-share to arrange an airport pickup or pulls up an app to get a ride home.

If drivers don’t use a ride-share app, it raises questions about driver identity, ride tracking, rates and insurance coverage, among other things.

While MWAA said the “Police Department expects its officers to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and integrity,” and that, “We thoroughly investigate all allegations of misconduct, and violations of law or policy will not be tolerated,” it didn’t share any details of the officers’ possible misconduct and how it could have affected passengers.

News4 asked those questions more than once again Thursday morning but has no received answers.