Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and union officials have expressed their opposition to the NFL’s access policies at Allegiant Stadium. The union has advised its officers not to work Raiders home games if the new arrangement, which includes the use of facial-recognition technology for credentialed individuals such as players, media, and vendors, remains in place.

The Las Vegas Police Protective Association, supported by the department, is concerned that the use of facial-recognition technology compromises the privacy of the officers. They have requested that officers be allowed to wear wristbands, as done in previous seasons, to address these privacy concerns. Police officers will use wristbands during the upcoming preseason game against the Dallas Cowboys.

Union president Steve Grammas emphasized the importance of privacy, stating that there are concerns about personal information being shared with vendors and teams. The union also highlighted that the NFL is requesting personal information like fingerprints, home addresses, and phone numbers.

In response, the NFL has provided a detailed explanation of the new policy, noting that access photos will solely be used for identity verification purposes. The league expressed appreciation for the efforts of public safety partners and stated that conversations with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the LVPPA have been productive regarding the secure credentialing system for staff.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill of the Las Vegas police department has shown support for the union’s objections to the proposed changes in NFL credentialing. Additionally, the Nevada Republican Party has announced its support for the police in this matter, emphasizing the importance of addressing privacy concerns.

Overall, discussions between the NFL and relevant stakeholders are ongoing to address any questions or concerns raised regarding the modernized credentialing system aimed at enhancing security at stadiums.