Airport Police Officer Kevin Foster recently received the “Safe & Sound” award in Philadelphia International Airport’s (PHL) Employee Recognition Program. This award recognizes employees who protect the integrity and safety of passengers through proactive communication, exemplary teamwork, courage, and effective action.
Foster is a 26-year Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) veteran—22 at PHL. He collaborates with state and federal agencies to maintain the safety of the airport and is assigned to Terminal A-East, working both day and nighttime shifts.
Foster has a strong desire to serve people and to assist in resolving issues. “As a man of faith, and as a deacon in the church, I am seen as a servant to the people,” he said. “I'm there to meet a need. To help ease the burdens of others through honest, moral, and genuine means, without judgment.”
In her nomination of Foster, Travelers Aid Program Manger Christine Datesman stated, “Earlier this year a passenger was running to their gate and dropped a cup of coffee creating a potential hazard at the top of Terminal A-East. Officer Foster immediately stopped his cart and proceeded to direct people around the spill. He moved trash cans to block off the area while waiting on custodial services to come clean up the mess. As soon as it got quiet in the area, he started to clean up, he had paper towels and some spray and cleaned the whole spill himself while ensuring that passengers and staff were safe and did not slip or fall.”
To Foster, seeing the look of relief and appreciation on a person's face is priceless. “For me, I get the feeling of satisfaction knowing, I've helped someone get through a difficult situation, they may have deemed unsolvable,” he said.
He considers himself a man of service. “To personally know what you do is seen and respected by others is a great feeling,” said Foster. “People thank us for our service and appreciate us.”
Foster upholds good character, disposition, and integrity and goes above and beyond the scope of his work to assist passengers, airport employees and his fellow officers.
“Each position is unique in its own right and there will be a time when we all will need a little assistance in the performance of our duties, but in the end, we all come together for the same purpose,” said Foster. “It’s all about customer service, safety, and security. For me, being a team player is what makes this entire operation what it is.”
Foster enjoys interacting with employees and guests from different backgrounds.
“I believe if an individual sows' kindness, patience, empathy, respect, and humility, into the atmosphere and into the lives of people, they will reap the same reward,” he said.
The PHL Employee Recognition Program was established by the airport’s Guest Experience (GX) Department. Honorees are nominated by their peers and selected by the GX Council Steering Committee’s Employee Conduct and Recognition Committee. To nominate an employee click here. For more information about the program, click here.
