Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department officers will join police officers from around the world assisting with law enforcement efforts at the Paris Summer Olympics.
The department said 28 Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department agents will be in France to act as informants for American citizens and athletes visiting or competing in the Olympics and to assist sheriff’s deputies as Los Angeles prepares to host the Olympics in 2028.
The sheriff’s delegation is made up of “a variety of specialized units,” including patrol and police canine units, the police department said in a statement. “This diverse group will gain valuable experience and insight that will enhance our capabilities ahead of the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic Games.”
Team members will observe best practices for maintaining safety and security at international events and discuss public safety strategies with police officers from other countries, police said.
Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department officers gather in Paris, host of the 2024 Olympics.
(Los Angeles District)
“As the Olympics come to our city, our goal is to provide the highest level of public safety to our Los Angeles County communities.”
The Los Angeles Police Department has also deployed reserve officers to Paris to work at events across the country, under the supervision of the French National Police and gendarmerie, according to law enforcement documents reviewed by The Times.
According to the document, France will cover the officers’ airfare and accommodation costs but not their meals.
The Los Angeles Police Department said the French government has temporarily suspended a law banning foreign police officers from being armed in the country.
A contingent of police officers will provide extra security during the planned Olympic visit of Los Angeles’ political leaders, including Mayor Karen Bass.
Paris police chief Laurent Nunez said at a press conference late last month that he plans to deploy about 30,000 police officers, including some armed ones, every day, with as many as 45,000 expected to be deployed at peak times for the opening ceremony on the Seine, which will be attended by large crowds from boats and on the banks.
Dozens of police officers will be brought in from police departments in other countries, along with about 25,000 private security guards, Nuñez said.
Times reporter Libor Janney contributed to this report.