STEVE LeBLANC
Associated Press Writer
BOSTON (AP) -- When acting Gov. Jane Swift needed a new head of public safety at Logan International Airport, she turned to a seasoned officer who lists ``travel'' as one of his top interests.
Col. John DiFava, head of the Massachusetts State Police, has been put in charge of protecting thousands of people traveling through Logan, where two jets departed Sept. 11 before being hijacked and crashing into the World Trade Center.
``That two of those planes took off from Logan Airport is particularly painful for us,'' Swift said in a televised speech Tuesday.
Swift chose DiFava on Tuesday as the temporary replacement for Joseph Lawless, who was reassigned to oversee security at the Port of Boston. DiFava will serve for the next 45 days.
``I think that flying now is safer than ever before,'' he said, adding, ``It will be even better once I get on the job.''
In her nine-minute speech, Swift said she hopes DiFava will be able to restore public confidence in the airport.
``As head of the state police, no one better understands the security needs of Massachusetts families,'' she said. ``He has been an invaluable member of our team during this critical time.''
DiFava joined the state police as a trooper in 1974 at age 22. He was promoted through the ranks and named head of state police in April 1999 by then-Gov. Paul Cellucci.
DiFava had planned to leave the state police on Oct. 15 to oversee security at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He still intends to take the job after his stint at Logan.
DiFava says his first step is to meet with the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. marshals, airline officials and the Massachusetts Port Authority, which manages the airport.
During DiFava's stint on the job, a new six-member commission will study what steps Logan must take to improve security.
``I have told them that they are not charged with placing blame or pointing fingers,'' Swift said. ``But at the same time, no policy, no procedure and no person is protected from scrutiny.''
Swift called on officials in Washington to put airport security under the control of the federal government. If they don't, she said she would ask for the state to be given control of security, which is currently provided by airlines.
The acting governor also announced the creation of a new cabinet-level position of Director of Commonwealth Security, mirroring the Office of Homeland Security created by President Bush after the attacks.
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