Las Vegas police union says officers won't abide by NFL's new access policy

Metro, union officials object to restrictions in certain areas of Allegiant Stadium

The head of the Las Vegas police union said Friday that officers will not abide by the NFL's new access policy for certain areas of Allegiant Stadium.

Steve Grammas, the president of the Las Vegas Police Protective Association, said the union objects to the policy because it would restrict officers' access to areas of the stadium where they are needed to respond to incidents.

The NFL's new policy, which was announced last week, restricts access to certain areas of stadiums for law enforcement officers who are not on duty.

The policy is designed to improve fan safety and security, but Grammas said it will make it more difficult for officers to do their jobs.

"We're not going to abide by this policy," Grammas said. "We're going to continue to do our jobs and protect the public, regardless of what the NFL says."

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department also objects to the NFL's new policy.

In a statement, the department said the policy "unnecessarily restricts the ability of law enforcement officers to perform their duties and protect the public."

The department said it is working with the NFL to resolve the issue.

Key points:

• Las Vegas police union head says officers will disregard NFL's new access policy.
• The policy restricts officers' access to certain areas of Allegiant Stadium.
• The union and police department object to the policy, saying it will make it difficult for officers to do their jobs.
• The NFL's policy is designed to improve fan safety and security.