Leaders of Detroit’s three police unions have penned a letter to the NFL demanding it lift its 2013 stadium gun ban in light of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris.
“This policy is ill-advised and should be rescinded,” said a draft of a letter, penned by leaders of the Detroit Police Officers Association, Lieutenants and Sergeants Association and the Command Officers Association, The Detroit News reported.
“Current events, not least the unconscionable acts of terrorism we have recently experienced, only add to the desirability of having readily available armed law enforcement officers even if they are not officially ’on duty,’ ” said the letter, which hadn’t yet been mailed to the NFL commissioner as of Friday.
Despite heightened security at Ford Field following the Paris attacks that claimed 130 lives on Nov. 13, animal rights supporters were still able to rush onto the field during Thursday’s annual Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Day game.
“God forbid, what if those had been terrorists? Yes, there are officers at the games, but the more people you have, the better,” DPOA president Mark Diaz said. “To say we don’t want people who are trained to protect lives to have their firearms is unfathomable.”
NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy said in an email Friday that security is stronger when stadium officials know which officers are working, The Detroit News reported.
“Off-duty officers attend games as spectators and are unknown to working law enforcement officers and security personnel,” Mr. McCarthy said. “They may not have the same training and do not participate in the weekly preparation meetings. They are not included in the on-site chain of command.
“The well-intentioned display or use of gun(s) could have serious unintended and potentially tragic consequences,” he said.
The NFL enacted the firearms ban in October 2013, causing a wave of backlash from law enforcement across the country. An online petition against the ban created by the head of the New York Police Department’s Benevolent Sergeant’s Association has garnered more than 2,600 signatures.
• Jessica Chasmar can be reached at jchasmar@washingtontimes.com.
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