4 US law enforcement agencies helping secure the Paris Olympics

The Olympic Games are an international event, bringing together the greatest athletes from around the world. Naturally, spectators flock to the games to support their teams and take in the sights of the host city. This places a great burden on the security agencies of the host city and nation as a whole. To secure the Summer 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, 35,000 French police and gendarmes are patrolling the City of Light. FRANCE 24 reports that 1,750 foreign police officers were invited to assist French law enforcement, including personnel from four U.S. agencies.

To help ensure the safety of athletes, fans, and the general public in Paris, the French government turned to law enforcement agencies well-versed in policing large populations and busy events. From the United States, the Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department, New York Police Department, and Fairfax County Police Department are four of the most renowned agencies that serve large populations.

Thirty-two LAPD reserve officers and a supervisor are part of the international police coalition under the supervision of the French National Police and Gendarmerie. According to the Los Angeles Times, the LAPD had a hand in convincing French authorities to allow foreign police officers to carry weapons while supporting the Olympics. The three teams of LAPD officers will work 8-to-12-hour shifts, five days a week, for the duration of the Games.

Joining their LAPD counterparts, 28 personnel from the LASD are supporting the Paris Olympics. “Throughout their tenure in Paris, each LASD specialist will focus on best practices for maintaining safety and security,” the LASD said in a department release. “They will bring this vital knowledge back to Los Angeles, ensuring our team is exceptionally trained and ready to deliver world-class public safety services in 2028.” Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympic Games.

From the NYPD, a team of police K-9s is supporting the Paris Olympics. The team includes German Shepherds and labradors trained in the detection of explosives. Along with their human partners, these dogs will patrol Olympic venues in Paris for about two weeks at a time for the duration of the Games. The NYPD did not specify the number of K-9 teams supporting the Olympic security missions.

Rounding out the American contingent of international law enforcement are 12 officers and a K-9 from the FCPD. Policing an area near the capital, these officers are well-suited to the unique security environment in Paris. “Our officers will be working in joint patrols with French forces, helping secure Olympic venues and popular tourist areas,” the FCPD said in a department release. “Officers will be stationed across Paris and assigned to areas of public safety, transportation security, foreign assistance, and international security missions.”

The French government is funding the airfare and lodging for the foreign officers supporting the Paris Olympics. In total, 40 countries are sending law enforcement personnel to the Games. Spain is the largest contributor, providing 360 police officers, followed by the United Kingdom and Germany who are providing 245 and 161 officers, respectively.

This article by Miguel Ortiz was originally published by We Are the Mighty.

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