PITTSBURGH — There is a hiccup in Pittsburgh’s security plan for the NFL Draft, which is only two weeks away.
Chief Investigator Rick Earle has learned that some Pittsburgh Police officers are pushing back after the NFL requested that they register for credentials and sign a waiver of liability in order to work the draft.
Officers just learned about these requirements late last week and it’s not sitting well with many of them.
They tell 11 Investigates that they are already vetted by the city and won’t provide that personal info to the NFL and won’t sign the waiver.
Pittsburgh police officers set to work the NFL Draft recently received an email requiring them to provide a photo and other personal information for an NFL credential.
11 Investigates has learned that some officers are refusing to provide the information and questioning the need for it when they’ve already been vetted by the city.
In multiple emails reviewed by 11 Investigates, officers want to know why they are providing personal information to a private company like the NFL.
They are asking how it will be protected, who will have access to it and if the NFL or the city will assume liability if there is a data breach.
In addition to the controversy over credentials, 11 Investigates has learned that some Pittsburgh police officers assigned to work inside the draft area are also required to sign a waiver of liability that they won’t hold the NFL responsible if they’re injured on the job.
Sources tell 11 Investigates the police officers’ union has advised officers not to sign the waiver or provide any personal information.
Sources say even some inside the city expressed concerns about the waiver of liability.
In a statement to 11 Investigates, the public safety department downplayed the request for personal information, saying officers are being asked to provide a headshot, name and work email. They add that the information will only be used for identification purposes as officers move in and out of the secure portions of the draft.
The statement appears to raise concerns about the waiver, saying the city law department is now reviewing all agreements in an effort to guarantee site security while protecting the city and city employees.
The president of the police officers’ union met with the chief earlier this week, but there has been no agreement on all of this.
Meanwhile, the union is telling officers to show up for work when and where they are scheduled.
11 Investigates reached out to the NFL but hasn’t heard back.
Channel 11 has been monitoring the security plan for the NFL Draft closely. Earlier this week, Chief Investigator Rick Earle spoke with Pennsylvania State Police about how they are contributing to the plan to keep hundreds of thousands of people safe. Click here to read what they told him.
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