Central Florida police chief stopped for weapon in baggage

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The Daytona Beach police chief made a blunder last week.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that Chief Mike Chitwood had a gun in his carry-on, and was stopped by a screener for the Transportation Security Administration, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

Orlando Police said in a statement:

"Chief Chitwood was escorted from the checkpoint to safely secure his weapon before he was allowed to board his flight."

Chitwood was not arrested and is not facing any charges.

The chief's boss, City Manager James Chisholm, said Chitwood is human "like all the rest of us" adding there is no cause for any action against him.

For his part, the chief said it all resulted from a "stupid oversight" on his part. He said he changed in the department's locker room before heading to the airport to catch a plane to New Jersey to see his family.

He also said he had two bags, and put his ankle holster and his revolver in the wrong bag.

Chitwood told the Orlando Sentinel that TSA officers were extremely professional, but said this about the whole experience:

"'Outside of being absolutely embarrassed, I thought: 'I'm getting locked up!'"

He added, "I've read these things and I've always said... 'How stupid could you be to do that?'"