Las Vegas Police Threaten Boycott of Raiders Games Over NFL's New Security Measures

The Las Vegas Police Department is threatening to boycott working Raiders games if the NFL's new security measures remain in place. The department has concerns about the NFL's collection and use of officers' biometric data.

The National Football League's new security measures are facing backlash from the Las Vegas Police Department, which is threatening to boycott working Raiders games if the measures are not changed.

The department's main concern is the NFL's collection and use of officers' biometric data, which includes their faces. The department believes that this data could be used for purposes that are not related to game security and could potentially put officers at risk.

Las Vegas Police Threaten Boycott of Raiders Games Over NFL's New Security Measures

"We've had a big concern over something the NFL is trying to push out…They've gone a step far further," Las Vegas Police protective association president Steve Grammas said, via TMZ Sports.

Initially, Gammas said the NFL had officers "sign off on an agreement that you would absolve them of all liability should anything happen to you in the course and scope of a game," but they "removed" that policy.

Las Vegas Police Threaten Boycott of Raiders Games Over NFL's New Security Measures

However, the NFL is still planning to collect biometric data from security officers.

"They've gone to the point now that you cannot work a game as an off-duty officer if you don't submit your biometric data — your face — and they’re going to use that however they need to," Grammas said.

Las Vegas Police Threaten Boycott of Raiders Games Over NFL's New Security Measures

Grammas added that the NFL is planning to share this data with its "NFL family partners," which could include a wide range of people and organizations.

"And they’re going to extend that to their NFL family partners to use your information should they need to… That branches into a lot of places that your biometric data could be exposed to a lot of people that you may not want it to be," Gammas said.

Grammas read aloud what he said was the NFL’s policy that allows for the "collection, use, retention, and disclosure of biometric data by and among members of the NFL family and their credentialing vendors, including Accredit Solutions Inc and Wicket LLC."

"We don't know who all those people are, but 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 said. "These could be in the hands of people that are anti-cop that support a different agenda than what law and order supports."

Grammas said he has asked the NFL to go back to the original way of simply giving officers the proper physical credentials in a wristband, but he fears that the department will acquiesce to the NFL.

"We’ve had productive conversations with the LVPPA and the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department about our modernized, secure credentialing system for all working staff," the NFL said in a statement. "The credentialing system will enhance security at our stadiums, and we look forward to working with all stakeholders to address any questions or concerns raised."

The new security measures were set to kick off in the first week of the preseason. The Raiders have not played a home game yet, but will host the Cowboys and 49ers in the preseason before starting the regular season on the road in Week 1 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Their first regular season home game will not be until Week 3, when they host the Carolina Panthers. Allegiant Stadium hosted Super Bowl LVIII in February.

In response to the NFL's new security measures, the Las Vegas Police Department has threatened to boycott working Raiders games. The department's main concern is the NFL's collection and use of officers' biometric data, which the department believes could be used for purposes that are not related to game security and could potentially put officers at risk.

The NFL has said that the new security measures are designed to enhance security at its stadiums and that it is working with stakeholders to address any concerns that have been raised. However, the Las Vegas Police Department has said that it will not work Raiders games if the NFL does not change its new security measures.

It remains to be seen whether the NFL and the Las Vegas Police Department will be able to come to an agreement on the new security measures. If they cannot, it could lead to a boycott of Raiders games by the Las Vegas Police Department.

In the meantime, the NFL is expected to continue to implement its new security measures at its other stadiums. It is unclear whether other police departments will have similar concerns to the Las Vegas Police Department. However, the Las Vegas Police Department's boycott threat is a sign that the NFL's new security measures could face challenges from law enforcement.