LOS ANGELES : Police Commission Chief, Airline Under Investigation

The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating the president of the Police Commission and Southwest Airlines after the commissioner allegedly flashed a badge to slip past airport security.

Enrique Hernandez Jr. and Southwest both could face fines for the Jan. 27 incident at Los Angeles International Airport, said FAA spokesman Fred O’Donnell.

Hernandez allegedly sidestepped metal detectors and flashed his Police Commission badge to the security screener, saying “police commissioner” and handing over a business card, O’Donnell said.

The security checker let him through to board a Southwest flight to Las Vegas. The checker later reported the incident to a supervisor and the FAA opened an investigation. The city’s police commissioners are civilian appointees to a board that oversees the Police Department.

If the investigation finds wrongdoing, Hernandez could be cited for abusing police authority, O’Donnell said. Hernandez and Southwest could be fined.

Southwest spokeswoman Linda Burke Rutherford said the airline will cooperate with the investigation. Hernandez said through a commission spokeswoman that he had no comment.