Brazil’s Extraordinary Secretariat for the Security of Big Events (SESGE) has released the Strategic Security Plan for the 2014 World Cup, outlining the tactical and operational plans for security at the 12 Brazilian World Cup host cities. According to Secretary Valdinho Jacinto Caetano, the plan aims to increase public security by integrating intelligence equipment, technology and services across institutions. The Strategic Plan will be adapted to suit the local protocols and specific needs of each host city.
A major test of the security plan will be the 2013 FIFA Confederations Cup to be held in Brazil next June. “The matches, from the standpoint of security, are of equal importance to us as the World Cup. Of course we will not have the same number of tourists as we will during the World Cup, but for us it’s time to take the plan, the equipment, and run a big test to identify what needs to be improved and keep what is working,” said Secretary Caetano in an interview with Brazil’s Official World Cup Portal, adding that the security simulations could start during the Brazilian Championship to be held later this year.
The Strategic Plan defines the security forces to be used during major events, how these forces will work, as well as which equipment and technology should be acquired. Secretary Caetano pointed out that the plan will be constantly evolving, stating: “The World Cup will be in 2014 and we are not developing a static plan today. While the basic assumptions are ready, they can always be changed and updated, according to the needs of each host city.”
In order to gain insight from other countries, SESGE has been holding a series of exchanges with security forces of other countries that have organized major events such as the United Kingdom, the United States and Germany. As part of this program, a training course for 20 people was held this week in Washington D.C., including representatives of the 12 Brazilian states that will be hosting matches as well as representatives of Brazilian federal agencies.
“Those representing the cities will come back and act as advocates. Those who were in Manaus or in Rio de Janeiro (at the ‘Symposium on Security for Big Sporting Events - The German Experience’ held last week), are now returning to their states and will start to outline the plan with us. Everything they saw will be put into practice,” said Secretary Caetano.
Brazil to invest R$ 1.17 billion in security for World Cup 2014
SESGE will have a budget of R$ 1.17 billion (roughly US$ 578 million) to invest in equipment for command and control centers, training, and security items such as mobile police stations, boats, cameras, and software.
The total investment in security still needs to be agreed upon by the Union, states and municipalities for inclusion in the World Cup Responsibility Matrix – a regulatory step that is expected to be completed soon. States and host cities will invest in the physical structure of the command and control centers, in addition to police forces, vehicles and other equipment.
Key Excerpts from SESGE Secretary Caetano’s Interview with Brazil’s Official World Cup Portal:
On Training
“We plan on holding various training simulations. This idea of training involves dialogue with countries that have hosted major events such as Germany, the United States and England. Their contribution is meaningful. To give you an idea, there was a German police chief who worked at the Munich Olympics, which was a failure from the point of view of security, and then worked at the World Cup 2006, which was a success. So it was a very rich experience having him talk about the two situations. Many other very high-level professionals with experience at several events such as the Olympics, World Cup, and basketball tournaments in their native countries have come to Brazil to have an exchange of information. We went to Mexico City, for example, to visit their command and control center, and also to Israel, which is a great reference.”
“We are acquiring knowledge and information, but contrary to what some claim, they are not coming here to teach us. They come to talk about their experience and then we see what is good for us, what works and what doesn’t work, and how to adapt and apply it to our situation. The examples of Germany cannot be applied literally in Amazonas, for example. Our culture is different. It's an exchange.”
“Once we have developed this local strategic plan, the tactical-operational plan, we will determine what needs to be done in each area and then we will hold security simulations. For example, we’ll take a match from the Brazilian Championship and turn it into the standard for the World Cup, in order to simulate situations, probably as soon as the 2012 tournament.”
On planning for violence or unruly fans
“Another recurring question is whether or not we have any additional concern in relation to our borders, such as an act of terrorism. No, we do not. We are concerned about borders, but is this an exceptional concern? No, it is not. Our goal is to provide global security at the level required by the World Cup.”
“Certainly we will talk to the police in other countries that may have a database of fans and monitor whether they will be coming to Brazil. Brazil is a tourist-friendly country and the World Cup is a celebration. We want people to come, play and participate in this celebration in a harmonious, orderly way.”
On identifying high-risk matches
“We’ve classified the matches according to their level of security threat: high, medium, or low. We have already mapped this. The situation that occurred between Polish and Russian fans at the Euro Cup this year happened because they are neighbors. It is another reality, another context.”
On the role of the command and control center
"The command and control center has a key role in receiving information. It's a large facility that centralizes the collection of information, where representatives of all agencies involved in security will be present to receive and interpret information and determine the necessary actions for each situation. It is an important technological tool that helps our work. The center is a tool used to integrate police forces."
» Full strategic plan (in Portuguese)
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