Las Vegas police could boycott working NFL games over new facial ID policy
A new security policy the NFL is implementing leaguewide in 2024 is facing some pushback from a police union in Las Vegas that could potentially lead to many of them refusing to work Raiders games.
Las Vegas Police Protective Association president Steve Grammas is objecting to the requirement that police officers who provide security at Allegiant Stadium must submit personal information -- including a photo of themselves -- as part of the process granting them clearance to do their jobs.
“I’m sure if you’re like me, you don’t want to have biometric data in the hands of people that you don’t know,” Grammas says in a video sent to union members earlier this month and published by TMZ.
In an interview with the Las Vegas Review-Journal, Grammas said he's worried that photos of officers might be obtained by “anti-cop” people who could potentially “target and harass officers just for doing their job.”
The NFL this year is expanding a new credentialing system from six teams to all 32, Sports Business Journal reports. As part of the new procedures, facial authentication software will be used to grant access to high-security areas, such as the playing field, locker rooms and press box.
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Grammas said he would prefer not to have police officers included in the system, and simply given wristbands to allow them to be at their posts, as had been the case previously.
“The credentialing system will enhance security at our stadiums," NFL director of communications Tim Schlittner said in a statement, "and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to address any questions or concerns raised.”
The league said it would not use the personal data it collects in any other way.
Grammas told TMZ that officers would continue to work Raiders games voluntarily, but he would advise them to stop if the facial ID requirement becomes mandatory.
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