When I graduated from the Greek
Police Officers’ Academy, as a young 2nd lieutenant, I was posted in
the Olympic Facilities of the Equestrian Centre in Athens, due to the Olympic
Games in 2004. As young and inexperienced I was really eager to start working
and apply the knowledge and skills acquainted in the Academy for 4 continuous
years, plus internships in between.
The security of an Olympic facility for this major event which
followed by people all over the world, proven to be a great experience that taught
me a lot. Concepts like
security clearance, security classification and accreditation, security
management and others minor literally jumped out from the paper and became my
reality. As appointed the Chief of Entrance security in the abovementioned
premises I had to deal with these concepts in a daily basis. Athletes, Trainers,
Training staff, Horses (animals) and respective equipments and staff (vets,
dieticians, etc.), vehicles and spectators where subject of my authority. I
realize that dealing with so many categories of security objectives, each of
them has to be dealt differently and in a specific way. Especially when we had
VIP spectators from royal families all across the world and still had to pass
the security check to enter the facility.
Soon, in my early days I understood
that securing an Olympic facility is something more than an ordinary police
task or mission. The areas and the sensitivity of the event required
professionalism and good manners at the same time, as a parallel prime
objective was not only to conduct safe Olympic Games, but also to promote the country
for its services and the hospitality.
Another area where I had to work on
was the cooperation with volunteers. Honestly speaking, in the Academy there was
no training in working in this field. Through my work and mostly working
alongside with experienced Greek and international Police Officers I learned a
lot in managing and cooperating with security volunteers. I realized that the
risk was to see them as an obstacle to our daily operations, but at the end
everyone had to realize that these people can offer and they are highly
motivated for work. All it was required was clear tasks, good communication and
genuine will for work and offering.
One of the best things during this
period was to work for the Paralympic Games that followed after the Olympic
Games. I received special training in dealing with people with disabilities
from the point of how to name and call them and in more practical issues, like
how to offer our assistance. Applying the security regulations to people with
disabilities with equality and respect was a big lesson for me. It showed me a
grey area that I was aware of but had no idea how this could be related to my
work.
During my work in this post, almost
3 months, I gained a lot and also gave a lot. Despite the ordinary use of
technology and equipment, as regards, securing a facility and to make and
preserve it clear, I managed people, led them to their tasks and advice them in
a variety of situations. I took the responsibility to de-escalate incidents,
investigate and solve cases. This experience, beyond the uniqueness it offers
to be proud of contributing to an international event, helped me a lot in my
next post, as a Police District Commander of a multitask Police Department in
the North-Western part of Greece.
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