Olympic Games Security

When I graduated from the Greek Police Officers’ Academy, as a young 2^nd 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.