MPD, Henn. Co. Sheriff Vie For Vikings Security Duty
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- When the Minnesota Vikings play at home, their stadium becomes one of Minnesota's largest cities. The safety of 65,000 fans is a top priority for the team.
The Vikings have paid at least 60 Minneapolis police officers in the past to work each game day, which is a separate job from their city service.
But Lt. Bob Kroll, president of the Minneapolis police union, is concerned that will not be in the playbook at U.S. Bank Stadium.
"Since the Metrodome was there, our officers have been working there off-duty," Kroll said. "I think the people that left there, that left the Metrodome, anticipated keeping that part-time job."
But Kroll says Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek has told him he is in talks with the team.
A spokesperson for the sheriff says he had no comment on the situation. The Vikings told WCCO nothing has been decided yet, and they are just beginning these conversations.
But they added that the team will go with whoever they feel most comfortable with once the time comes.
Hennepin County already plays a role on game days. The sheriff's department escorts visiting teams to Vikings game.
That job used to belong to Minneapolis Police, but the department bowed out after last year's crash involving a squad car and two Washington Redskins' buses.
Kroll says there has been an agreement before that county deputies will not work part-time jobs in Minneapolis. He plans to put up a fight if his officers are left off their home turf.
"If it's an off-duty job, it should be a Minneapolis cop in the city limits working those jobs," Kroll said.
Last year's bus crash will likely cost the city $237,000. A settlement with the bus company is expected to be approved next week.
The money will cover damage to the two buses and loss of business while the vehicles were out of service.
