USM National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security Partners with INTERPOL on Risk Mitigation
Tue, 11/24/2015 - 04:10pm | By: Van Arnold
The recent terrorist attacks in Paris have placed even greater significance on the partnership between the University of Southern Mississippi's National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) and the International Criminal Police Organization, INTERPOL.
Identifying opportunities for collaboration on major events security within their respective capacities was the focus of a meeting between NCS4 and INTERPOL representatives held earlier this month. The meeting was also attended by representatives from U.S. national sports leagues, venues, associations and organizations, as well as law enforcement agencies which included the Department of Homeland Security and the FBI.
Discussions focused in particular on cooperation in the area of law enforcement research, training and capacity building between INTERPOL's Project Stadia and NCS4 tied to sports safety and security. The meeting with the NCS4 National Advisory Board was held at the National Football League headquarters in New York.
NCS4 Director Dr. Lou Marciani noted that INTERPOL officials contacted the National Center about a year ago in search of an academic institution to support Project Stadia, which aims to create a center of excellence and good practice platform to help INTERPOL member countries in planning and executing physical security and cybersecurity preparations for major sporting events.
“The University of Southern Mississippi's National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security is proud to partner with INTERPOL,” said Marciani. “We look forward to collaborating with INTERPOL in its creation of a global platform of excellence and good practices – through academic programs, research and development, and knowledge management.”
The New York meeting was held the same week that France's national sports stadium, the Stade de France, was targeted by terrorists. In that attack, three explosions occurred near the stadium during a soccer match between Germany and France. Four people, including three suicide bombers, died in the blasts. A total of 130 people died during a series of attacks that occurred in and around Paris.
In the wake of the coordinated attacks, professional sports leagues and stadiums have tightened safety and security procedures.
“Many have expanded checkpoints and perimeters around stadiums, added law enforcement agents to parking areas outside venues, and included additional canine sweeps for explosive,” said Marciani. “The NFL, for instance, said it increased security to include a greater law enforcement presence in and around their stadiums, even though there were no threats against NFL stadiums.”
Since its inception in 2006, NCS4 has been collaborating with the National Collegiate Athletic Association, colleges, high schools, marathons, private security firms and professional sports leagues to train and better prepare those entities for mitigating risk at their events.
Among the primary objectives going forward at NCS4: to produce a Professional Sport Facilities Best Practices Guide in 2016, and create by 2019 an international best practices outline through the partnership with INTERPOL.
“With the meeting taking place the same week that the Stade de France in Paris was targeted by terrorists, it reinforces the necessity for police to be well equipped and trained in their response to this type of tragic incident,” said Michael O'Connell, INTERPOL Director of Operational Support and Analysis, and Head of Project Stadia. “Through Project Stadia, INTERPOL, together with NCS4, will enhance policing capability in this regard.”
Dr. Gordon Cannon, Vice President for Research at Southern Miss, points out that Project Stadia gives NCS4 an opportunity to play a vital role in offering INTERPOL member countries a repository of best practices.
“The gathering of relevant research and knowledge as well as training will provide for the enhancement for effective safety and security planning and operations at both national and international sports events,” said Cannon.
About INTERPOL
INTERPOL is the world's largest international police organization, with 190 member countries. Our role is to enable police around the world to work together to make the world
a safer place. Our high-tech infrastructure of technical and operational support helps
meet the growing challenges of fighting crime in the 21st century. To learn more about
INTERPOL, visit http://www.interpol.int/en
About NCS4
The National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), at the University of Southern Mississippi, supports the advancement of sport safety and security through training, professional
development, academic programs and research. NCS4 collaborates with professional leagues, open access events, intercollegiate and interscholastic
athletics, along with professional associations, private sector firms, and government
agencies. It is a critical resource for sport venue managers, event managers, first
responders, and other key stakeholders. To learn more about NCS4, visit: http://www.ncs4.com