Fairfield police criticized federal officers for a lack of communication regarding a surprise security check Friday morning.

Police say the U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted a "Viper Sweep," sending officers with bomb-sniffing dogs to check for explosives at Fairfield Metro Station on Friday at 7 a.m. without giving the police department any advance notice, prompting an apology from the Transportation Security Administration.

Federal officials say they conducted the security check in preparation for the busy Labor Day weekend.

Local authorities say they were left in the dark regarding the operation, which they say also alarmed travelers.

Federal officials said in a statement today, "TSA Viper operations are always conducted in cooperation with state and local law enforcement partners, with MTA Police, Amtrak and State Police. If there was a breakdown in communications, we will look into that and resolve any issues that may exist."