DOHA, Qatar – The International Sport Safety and Security Professional Certificate has been attributed to the first graduates from a course established by the University of Southern Mississippi's National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4), and implemented by INTERPOL’s Project Stadia.
The course aims to benchmark and strengthen law enforcement and international standards in sport venue safety and security in the face of the security risks associated with major sporting events: violence, disorder, cyberattacks and terrorism at the hands of criminal groups or lone wolf actors.
With 116 participants from 58 countries having taken part to date in the training course during the first delivery of the programme, this week’s graduation ceremony involved 17 Qatari officials and other participants from INTERPOL member countries.
The ceremony follows the completion by graduates of the last of six modules required for graduating, comprising: Safety and Security Management Challenges for Major International Sporting Events; Risk Management Challenges for Major International Sporting Events; Crowd Management Challenges for Major International Sporting Events; Evacuation Challenges for Major International Sporting Events; Incident Management Challenges for Major International Sporting Events; and Advanced Safety and Security Management Challenges for Major International Sporting Events.
"These courses address several international priorities and capabilities for countries hosting major international sporting events," said Lou Marciani, NCS4 Director. "Through developing the training courses, NCS4 works to support INTERPOL's mission to enhance police cooperation and capacity building for international sporting events."
Project Stadia
The partnership between INTERPOL and NCS4 has seen the two organizations develop capacity building initiatives, in particular in support of INTERPOL’s Project Stadia which has been working to implement a comprehensive curriculum to assist member countries meet the demands of hosting major international sporting events.
Project Stadia Senior Manager Falah Al Dosari said: “INTERPOL’s collaboration with NCS4 is helping strengthen the capacity of member countries to handle potential threats to venue security. The training and skills acquired will allow senior police officials and incident management team leaders from around the world to better assess potential security threats and prepare measures for protective actions.”
To capture good practices and lessons learned before, during and after major international sporting events, Project Stadia conducts observation and debriefing programmes with designated security officials from both the public and private sectors who have direct responsibilities for policing and security operations.
It also organizes dedicated expert group meetings on cybersecurity, sports legislation and event safety & security.
Established by INTERPOL in 2012 and funded by Qatar, Project Stadia aims to create a centre of excellence and good practice platform to help host countries plan and undertake security and cybersecurity preparations.
