Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department

The Special Events Office is staffed by a Lieutenant, Sergeant, Police Officer, two Special Events Coordinators and a Temp. We are located on the 2nd floor of the Clark County Government Building, co-located with the Sureveyor’s Office. We are the "triage" for all county and city special events permits. We also can initiate State Temporary Occupancy permits for events that fall within their jurisdiction. These permits range from Block Party, Outdoor Festival, Special Event, Filming, Parade permits, Running and Bicycle race events.

With the "permit process" generally comes a law enforcement/public safety requirement. In these instances, our office is responsible to staff these events. We are frequently requested to augment private security and/or to provide police officers at other events that may not require a permit. Some of these include, but are not inclusive: NASCAR and IRL auto racing, traffic control at PGA golf events, over-dimensional moves, high school sports, professional boxing, NBA, UFC, concerts in hotels, traffic control at road construction sites, grand openings, foot patrol at local shopping malls, hotel arcades on weekends and holidays, Election Department during primary and general elections, U.S. Forest Service, traffic control at major conventions, some trade shows open to the public, carnivals, and private parties with a need to facilitate a large volume of traffic.

Filming
Over the years the entertainment industry has spent millions of dollars filming in Southern Nevada as we continue to be a popular filming location for TV and motion pictures. In fact, several major award-winning motion pictures have been filmed here in their entirety or in part. Due to the unique characteristics Las Vegas has to offer, many of these films require running shots or stationary sidewalk filming along the "Strip" , the “Welcome to Las Vegas” sign or in the downtown Las Vegas area. This requires police officer staffing. Most often, these are "last minute" requests or changes from previously approved schedules. Communication with a location manager or director ensures successful filming with the least amount of disruption to the public. Occasionally, a request is made to use our Department logo, equipment, or officers in a film. The actual script must be submitted to our office for review. We will subsequently forward the request and script through our PUBLIC Information Office to the Undersheriff for approval.

Permit Requirements
City or county ordinances may require a permit for an event. Generally, a permit is required for any event that affects or uses the public's right-of-way. Events that may need a permit are any music, dance, or rock festival where music is provided and is held in any place other than a permanent building that was built for the purpose of conducting such activity; any activity on public right-of-way. This also would include "block parties" on residential streets. Film permits are required when the filming is on public right-of-way or on private property and has an adverse effect on nearby public right-of-way.

Reimbursable Overtime
All requests to the Department from businesses and citizens for police service on a reimbursable overtime basis must be formally requested in writing. These requests must be mailed or faxed to this office. Special Events will review the requests and provide officers as appropriate. These events would include all those mentioned previously, as well as prearranged union activities where police staffing is facilitated by the area command in which the activity occurs. Also, specialized officers such as pickpocket or Gang Unit detectives can be activated on an "overtime basis" for such events as hotel grand openings or major boxing events. A Special Event Cost Estimate and Agreement is written up by this office. It is then signed by a fiscally responsible person affiliated with the event, prior to scheduling and assigning said officers. The signature is an acknowledgment and of cost and an agreement to pay, which may have to be paid in advance by wire transfer, cashier's check or money order only. No personal, or company checks will be accepted. Normally advance payment will be required for those businesses, or citizens that the Department hasn't worked with before. In addition, Liability Insurance of at least $1,000.000 is required, listing LVMPD as an additional insurer.

We do not staff officers in the following situations:

Private functions wherein the officers are the sole security
Bodyguard or personal escort service
Funeral processions or motorcades
Guarding private property
Intelligence gathering or surveillance activities
Private parties/events where the public does not have access
Television/movie "extras"

Special events continue to increase yearly. The fiscal year 04-05 had an approximate 60,000 hours of overtime reported. The fiscal year 05-06 reported an approximate 48,000 hours of overtime and during the fiscal year 06-07, the Special Events Section staffed more than 2,440 events, which totaled more than 83,000 hours of overtime, exceeding the previous fiscal year.

Quality Control
The Department strives to provide excellent service. Special Events' Commissioned Personnel regularly check and monitor the events that are staffed by LVMPD Officers. It is not uncommon for the commission staff to plan and actually work at the larger events to ensure quality control and the success of the event as planned and discussed with the promoters. Also, some events that are occurring during the week, after hours and on weekends are physically spot-checked to evaluate the staffing level and the accuracy of instructions to officers. In addition, follow-up telephone calls are made in some instances to venues where officers worked to solicit their response on the type of services they received.