INTERPOL partners with NCS4 on spectator sports safety and security

LYON, France - To strengthen law enforcement capacity in sport safety and security INTERPOL has signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4).

Senior INTERPOL and NSC4 officials at the INTERPOL General Secretariat headquarters in Lyon, France where the agreement between the two organizations was signed.

The partnership will see the two organizations develop a variety of capacity building initiatives, in particular in support of INTERPOL’s Project Stadia which is working to implement a comprehensive curriculum to assist member countries meet the demands of hosting major international sporting events.

INTERPOL has signed a cooperation agreement with the University of Southern Mississippi’s National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) to strengthen law enforcement capacity in sport safety and security.

The agreement between INTERPOL and NCS4 was signed by University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney D. Bennett (left) and INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Police Services Tim Morris.

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The partnership will see the two organizations develop a variety of capacity building initiatives, in particular in support of INTERPOL’s Project Stadia which is working to implement a comprehensive curriculum to assist member countries meet the demands of hosting major international sporting events.

“This partnership allows the University to offer INTERPOL member countries a repository of safety and security best practices, relevant research, knowledge and training to enhance their capacity to deliver effective security for major sporting events,” said University of Southern Mississippi President Rodney D. Bennett.

“We are therefore pleased to partner with INTERPOL via the NCS4 which has established a reputation as a premier academic leader in addressing sport safety, security risks and threats,” added Mr Bennett.

The agreement between INTERPOL and NCS4 comes almost a year after the Stade de France in Paris was targeted by terrorists, reinforcing the need for police to be well equipped and trained in their response to this type of serious incident.

“By bringing together best practices, successes and lessons learnt by member countries which have hosted major international sporting events, through Project Stadia INTERPOL seeks to equip future hosts with global law enforcement expertise they can draw on to enrich their own operational security preparations,” said INTERPOL’s Executive Director of Police Services, Tim Morris.

“Partnerships with established national or international entities such as NCS4 in the field of sport safety and security, sport legislation and cybersecurity are key assets in establishing international best practices in this area,” added Mr Morris.

Established by INTERPOL and funded by Qatar, Project Stadia aims to create a centre of excellence and good practice platform to help INTERPOL member countries plan and undertake security and cybersecurity preparations for major sporting events.