Justice Department Releases Guidance for Planning Large-Scale Events

WASHINGTON, June 11, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Department of Justice's Office of Justice Programs (OJP) today released guidance for law enforcement and local governments for planning and managing large-scale events. The guidance includes three documents synthesizing best practices relating to security planning.  They are the result of an analysis of information provided from the Tampa, Florida, and the Charlotte-Mecklenburg, North Carolina police departments as they planned and executed operations for the 2012 Presidential Nominating Conventions.  The reports are a product of OJP's Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), working in partnership with CNA, a nonprofit research organization.

"Carefully planned security operations and multi-agency coordination before, during, and after large-scale events are crucial to local law enforcement's ability to uphold a safe environment and conduct a successful event", said BJA Director Denise E. O'Donnell.  "When law enforcement is tasked with managing a large event, they can get the most out of their efforts by learning from other agencies and adopting proven practices."

The guidance contains the following documents:

• Managing Large-Scale Security Events: A Planning Primer for Local Law Enforcement Agencies;
• Command, Control, and Coordination: A Quick-Look Analysis of the Tampa Police Department's Operations During the 2012 Republican National Convention; and
• Command, Control, and Coordination: A Quick-Look Analysis of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's Operations during the 2012 Democratic National Convention. 

The documents represent a first-time analysis of this nature, and are available at: www.bja.gov/ProgramDetails.aspx?Program_ID=107 for use in planning the next set of Presidential Nominating Conventions or other large scale event.

"You win an event of this magnitude in the months of planning and training long before game week," said Jane Castor, Chief of the Tampa Police Department. "We hope our success in preventing the classic clash between police and protestors will help other cities hosting large political events."

The planning primer details proven practices and lessons learned for pre-event planning, core event operations, and post-event activities.  Within the primer is a "planning toolkit," useful in developing operational plans around core operational areas. By having solid plans in place, law enforcement will be prepared for incidents and can help to ensure public safety throughout event operations. The "Quick-Look" documents, or "after action" reports, provide specific findings from each city's overall planning and operations during the nominating conventions.

"With National Special Security Events, challenges always will exist for law enforcement agencies charged with executing their duties and responsibilities to ensure that all those involved have a safe experience," said Chief Rodney Monroe, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

The Office of Justice Programs (OJP), headed by Assistant Attorney General Karol V. Mason, provides federal leadership in developing the nation's capacity to prevent and control crime, administer justice, and assist victims. OJP has six components: the Bureau of Justice Assistance; the Bureau of Justice Statistics; the National Institute of Justice; the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention; the Office for Victims of Crime; and the Office of Sex Offender Sentencing, Monitoring, Apprehending, Registering, and Tracking. For more information about OJP, please visit: www.ojp.gov.  

SOURCE Office of Justice Programs