Detroit's top cop had his gun confiscated at Detroit's Metropolitan Airport Saturday before boarding a flight for Philadelphia.

Detroit Police Chief Jerry Oliver (pictured, left) was boarding a plane when screeners found a loaded gun in his checked luggage Saturday. Metro Airport officials told Local 4 it happened at 1 p.m.

Passengers carrying a gun in their luggage are expected to fill out paperwork. Oliver said it was an oversight and told Local 4 he didn't realize he had to check a weapon if it was secured in checked luggage.

The Transportation Safety Administration found the loaded weapon, confiscated it and then turned it over to airport police, the station reported. Oliver was paged and asked if it was his weapon, according to Local 4. He said it was and was told he needed to sign some papers. According to reports, Oliver said he was worried about missing his flight, so he left the gun behind, Local 4 reported. He was allowed to continue on his flight to Philadelphia.

Local 4 reported that Oliver did not follow the proper procedures for carrying a gun on an aircraft. According to the TSA, you are allowed to check weapons, but they must be declared and the ammunition separated from the gun.

Oliver could face a fine of up to $1,000 and that decision is up to TSA regulators.

"It was just an oversight on my part…not knowing that you have to go fill out paperwork when you carry a gun through in your luggage that you are checking... Especially when it is in a secured place... Just one of those things," Oliver said.

Oliver said he always declares the weapon when he carries it on board of the plane.

Critics are saying that the chief should have known better and he should be held accountable.

"It's incredible that this happened, that the chief of police failed to declare a gun in his luggage," said Dave Malhalab, a Detroit police officer. "He's ultimately responsible. If he's going to be fair, which he hasn't been to Detroit police officers, he should suspend himself,"

There is no word yet on if Oliver will be punished or fined.

Additional Information

TSA Statement On Carrying Weapons On Aircraft

Subject to state and local restrictions on transporting firearms, you may still transport a firearm in your checked baggage. However, you should first check with your airline or travel agent to see if firearms are permitted in checked baggage on the airline you are flying. Ask about limitations or fees that apply. Firearms carried as checked baggage MUST be unloaded, packed in a locked hard-sided gun case, and declared to the airline at check-in.

Only you, the passenger, may have the key or combination. Ammunition may be packed in the same locked container as the firearm as long as it is not loaded in the firearm.

Small arms ammunition must be declared to the air carrier and placed in an appropriate container, securely packed in fiber wood or metal boxes, or placed in other packaging specifically designed to carry small amounts of ammunition.

Source: TSA Web site