Date:         Thu, 12 Oct 2000 10:34:44 -0700
Reply-To:     Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
Sender:       Discussion of Topics for Soccer Referees <[log in to unmask]>
From:         Jim Geissman <[log in to unmask]>
Subject:      Re: Police - a cop's view
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> Ref: Are you going to be interviewing eyes witnesses, such as
> parents on both sidelines, etc?
> Cops: "Yes."
> Ref: "Can we continue the game while you do that, including
> playing #1, and you can interview him after the game? We have
> about 20 minutes to play."

And if the police say "no, we wish to talk to him first", then outside
parties have affected the game, terminate and document.

Three or four years ago, I was refereeing AYSO U14G at Balboa Park
in LA.  A helicopter circled low at the end of the park for a
while, but I didn't see anything.  At halftime, I noticed that
less than 100 yards away, four policemen with drawn guns (two
pistols, two long guns) were standing around two guys who were
spreadeagled up against a fence.  I went over and said, We've
got a lot of soccer games going on right here, should we stop
until you're finished with this?  Are we in any danger?  One of
the plainclothes cops smiled and replied quite calmly, Nope, it's
all under control, you're quite safe, don't worry about anything.
Ten minutes later they had gone.