POAM would like to share with you Comerica Park’s firearm policy, sent directly to us by the Detroit Tigers Security Manager.
To Our Partners and Colleagues in Law Enforcement,
With the start of the 2016 MLB baseball season right around the corner, we wanted to remind you of our policy regarding the carrying of firearms into Comerica Park by off-duty and retired law enforcement officers.
Firearms are prohibited from being brought into Comerica Park, however the Detroit Tigers extend MCOLES licensed off-duty and retired law enforcement officers the option of carrying their firearms into the stadium while attending a game or other event.
In 2014 we implemented the following policies In order to have an accounting of how many armed off-duty and/or retired officers are in attendance at Comerica Park during games or events. These same policies remain in effect this year.
- Only MCOLES licensed law enforcement officers, or federal equivalent, are permitted to carry firearms into Comerica Park.
- Reserve and auxiliary officers, and members of sheriff posse’s are not permitted to carry firearms inside Comerica Park.
- Retired law enforcement officers must have an ID card stating that they are retired and a Michigan CPL that exempts them from the pistol free zones.
- Entrance is at Gate D only, which is located on Montcalm Street on the north side of the stadium. Upon entering the gate you must show your ID to Comerica Park security staff.
- Your name, rank, badge number, department, and seat numbers will be recorded, and you will be required to wear a color-coded wrist band that we attach to your gun hand. The purpose of this discreet colored wrist band is known only to our security staff and the working members of the Detroit Police Department detail, and identifies you as an armed law enforcement officer should some type of critical incident take place.
Starting this season, we have implemented additional requirements. Active off-duty and retired law enforcement officers who desire to carry their firearm into Comerica Park must now sign a Terms of Service and Hold Harmless Agreement. By signing this agreement, an active off-duty or retired law enforcement officer acknowledges that they are aware of:
- Applicable Michigan statutes regarding the possession of a firearm and allowable blood alcohol content levels.
- That an active law enforcement officer is in compliance with their respective agency or departments rules, regulations, policies, and orders, as it relates to carrying a firearm off-duty.
- That although armed, in the event an off-duty active law enforcement officer or retiree witnesses a felony crime and decides to take action, that said action is being undertaken as a private citizen with no police authority. The exception to this is an off-duty law enforcement officer who is a member of the Michigan Department of State Police, Wayne County Sheriff’s Office, or City of Detroit Police Department, who would otherwise have jurisdiction.
- That the Detroit Tigers, Inc. and Comerica Park are held harmless for any and all liability that may be caused by an off-duty or retired law enforcement officers’ actions while armed.
Please feel free to share this information with your law enforcement constituents.
Questions regarding this policy can be directed to Detroit Tigers Security Manager Mike Moorman at 313-471-2079.
38 responses to “Comerica Park Firearms Policy for Active and Retired Law Enforcement Officers”
Posted by Darric
At least they have a policy that allows carrying of weapons off duty. The NFL made a ruling that NO concealed weapons are to be carried in their stadiums PERIOD. To the best of my knowledge, Texas was the only state to stand up to the NFL.
Posted on March 3, 2018 at 5:15 PM
Posted by Reserve Cop
This so called ignorant “Policy” is enforced at Joe Louis Arena for Red Wings games also what a JOKE! As a Reserve Police Officer in one of the surrounding communities of Detroit it seems to me this “POLICY” is breaking the law. Exemption from pistol free zones is checked on my CPL card. I reside in Macomb County and the County absolutely WILL NOT mark the exemption on your CPL card without a letter from your department stating you are a Reserve Police officer in good standing with the department you work for. Someone at Comerica Park and Joe Louis Arena with a brain needs to review MCL 28.425o line (g) An individual who is licensed under this act and who is an auxiliary officer or reserve officer of a police or sheriff’s department.
In todays very unpredictable world we now live in post 9/11 why wouldn’t you want extra armed & trained personal if the need was to arise suddenly.
No more wings or ball games at home for me till this Joke of a “POLICY” is reconsidered we need FOX 2 let it rip get Langton and Le duff on this.
Posted on November 6, 2016 at 10:37 PM
Posted by Joe
I am a Reserve Officer and I worked security at Comerica Park until about halfway through this past season. I have the upmost respect for the Security Staff from top to bottom and what they deal with everyday. Everyone should know though, that we were instructed to allow “off duty” Wayne County Sheriff Department Reserve Officers entry with their credentials. Yet for some reason no other Reserve Officers from any department were allowed. That confused me, as I shared the same academy class and received the same exact training as the Wayne County Sheriff Department Reserve Officers received.
As a Reserve Officer, I am upset by these guidelines. I understand that we are not completely MCOLES certified, but most all Reserve Officers have attended an academy and are trained in Michigan Law, firearms proficiency, unarmed defense tactics, handcuffing, EVO, ect… Once out of the academy we have to go through a specified number of hours of FTO training, along with department certification in firearms proficiency. All of this training allows us to apply for a receive an exempt CPL from the State of Michigan.
My hat is off the full time Officers who put their lives on the line EVERYDAY. THANK YOU TO ALL OF THOSE BRAVE MEN AND WOMEN!! As Reserve Officers we know our limited roles within our respective departments, but we also bleed blue and put our lives on the line for our fellow full time and Reserve Officers. In this day and age, individuals who wish harm on Officers DO NOT CARE if their uniform says Reserve. All they see is an Officer. I believe they should seriously revisit this policy and allow Reserve Officers to carry inside the ballpark.
Posted on October 25, 2016 at 10:57 AM
Posted by K Grrer
How does a public funded place, ran by a private company set jurisdiction over Michigan law?
As a reserve officer who puts his butt in the seat of a patrol car at night, does patrol duties, risk life and limb next to our certified partners, who takes on additional training, MCOLES certified, holds a valid exempt CPL not allowed to carry in Comerica?
We are not your regular CPL holders. We are trained, tested, and proven at our depts to do the jobs we do. I have on many occasions had to draw my weapons (firearm and Tazer) without incident. We are very capable of understanding a threat and when and how best suited to act or don’t act.
I find your wrist band ruling a total joke! A copy of our police ID and CPL with exemption should be enough. I pray nothing ever happens that could have been handled by a reserve officer that should have been allowed to carry.
Posted on September 11, 2016 at 11:50 AM
Posted by Robert Rozen
I have no problem with showing my retiree i.d. and cpl. Recording my seat # isn’t critical because I might move. Now, the yellow arm band is a different matter. Kind of defeats the concept of concealed. Is Tigers mgt willing to sign that they accept liability for any harm that may befall me? The yellow band thing is out of the bag. I’m basically carrying a sign that says, “Hey, I’m a cop.”
Posted on August 19, 2016 at 11:13 AM
Posted by Jared
That’s cute that Comerica park has their own rules; however, the park is NOT private property. It’s publically owned.
Anyone can possess a firearm (open or concealed) inside the park as per MCL 750.234d if they are a peace officer or licensed to carry by any state.
A person carrying a concealed pistol may not carry concealed inside the park unless they are exempt per MCL 28.425o.
Anyone with an exempt CPL can carry a concealed pistol. Anyone with a non-exempt license can carry an unconcealed pistol.
Comerica is publicly owned and subject to preemption as as “authority”. This issue was dealt with by the Michigan Court of Appeals in Capitol Area District Library vs Michigan Open Carry, Inc.
I don’t understand why people don’t know this… Ignorance of the law is no excuse.
Posted on May 24, 2016 at 8:37 AM
Posted by Mark C
I have worked as a Reserve Police Officer for five years. The Detroit Tigers organization has never bit their tongue asking us to come down and help during home games. I’m a sergeant with my department. I will talk to my Certified Chief about never doing a detail again at tigers stadium . It’s not hard to see why you guys probably won’t ever win a world series. Look at all of the geniuses making all of the decisions. Good luck.
Posted on May 22, 2016 at 11:03 AM
Posted by Nope
Not wearing any wrist bands. People outside of law enforcement already know about the wrist band. No hard feelings but i wont be going to Comerica Park until they fix it. Everybody doesn’t need to know that i carry a firearm. I dont mind giving name and badge number but I’m not wearing any wrist band.
Posted on May 17, 2016 at 9:05 PM
Posted by Mike Robins
It does not appear that this policy was very well thought out. Retired PO must have ID and a CPL that exempts them from pistol free zone – this makes no sense at all, as a retired PO I am exempt from pistol free zones per the current laws, CPL NOT REQUIRED.
Posted on April 13, 2016 at 4:45 PM
Posted by Anonymous
What about Michigan State Conservation Officers? They have jurisdiction statewide. Same as a Trooper.
Posted on April 8, 2016 at 8:49 PM
Posted by clarence trotter
To all LEOs, i see most of us dont agree with this so called policy. Tell you what just boycott the stadium and DO NOT ATTEND ANY GAMES. For once show solidarity. It’s simple either we as active, off duty, retired whatever can carry without all the stupid hoops wrisk bands and signing wavers, or we just don’t attend the games. Just let our kids watch the games on tv but the tigers will not get a dime from the police.
Posted on April 5, 2016 at 12:17 AM
Posted by Amanda Silvernaile
What about retirees that do not have a CPL, but are valid to carry under the Fedral Law Enforcement Safety Act of 2004 (title 18, part 1,USC 825c) Retired officers are required to carry their ID that shows that they met the requirements to carry. Please make your security staff aware of this law.
Posted on April 2, 2016 at 8:44 AM
Posted by Scott Rozwood
What about active State Corrections Officers who have to worry about recently paroled or released inmates ?
Posted on April 2, 2016 at 5:38 AM
Posted by James Gurski
Why don’t you have a ‘Gun Check’ Area like a ‘Coat Check’ area for the average citizen to check their gun when in the stadium to enjoy the game and that way they can still protect themselves to and from the game. This is even more important with night games and parking sometimes several blocks away. I know many people who don’t go to the games just for that reason of not having a place to check in guns and not wanting to leave them in their car.
Posted on April 1, 2016 at 5:22 PM
Posted by Joe Ribesky
How do Retired Corrections officers in good standing that have an exempt CPL fall into your policy ?
Posted on April 1, 2016 at 2:49 PM
Posted by Joe
How about we all wear clown noses to give the terrorists an advantage to kill our kids and us first..
No more singing “Take me out to the ballgame versus ” as that would imply having yellow bands.on our wrists and the cute red noses was fair warning to the spineless motherless, goatfuckers !!. I hope this policy is an April Fools joke, but rant i must !!
Posted on April 1, 2016 at 7:27 AM
Posted by Mark
sounds good to me
Posted on April 1, 2016 at 4:23 AM
Posted by Ken Chinavare – Reserve Sergeant Clare Polce Department
My apologies for the typo of “sergeant” being spelled incorrectly in my previous comment.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 11:45 PM
Posted by Ken Chinavare – Reserve Sereant Clare Polce Department
Please reconsider reserve/auxiliary police officers being exempt from your policy. We are also exempt from all pistol free zones in Michigan just as any certified officer is. Any police officer certified through MCOLES or sworn as a reserve officer with a Michigan police department puts theirs’ and their families’ lives at risk while on or off duty. It is important that all police officers carry off duty due to their role as the sheep dogs of our society protecting the sheep. Please don’t minimize the sacrifices reserve officers give by not allowing them to protect themselves and/or others while off duty attending a baseball game with their family. Thank you for your consideration.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 11:40 PM
Posted by Mike Boynton
Looks like a great policy.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 8:59 PM
Posted by L.Shovak
Notice needs to be shown more often and or we need to be reminded of such!!
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 4:39 PM
Posted by James Tignanelli
Thank you for sharing this with our members and friends. The question is asked often and your detail of the rules is very clear. We have posted it on our website, POAM.net and it got more than 20,000 looks in one day. Thank you!
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 2:04 PM
Posted by Mark Schwartz aka Bulldog
Good to know new updates. Thanks John Hope all is well.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 1:04 PM
Posted by Douglas Rood
Thank you, I have missed going.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 9:00 AM
Posted by Kevin Wheeler
Thank you.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 8:14 AM
Posted by Doug Oswick
Does this also apply to Police Officers / Sheriff Deputies from outside of Michigan as well?
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 6:58 AM
Posted by Ronald Allen
I guess i will never attend a game……substandard……..because i dont feel secure then…..
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 6:27 AM
Posted by Manuel Gonzalez Jr.
All I Can Say Is This : It Is A Damn Shame That Professional Reserve Or Auxillary Officer’s That Are Highly Trained By Their Perspective Agencies Are Not Permitted To Carry Their Firearms Concealed Into Your Stadium. That In It Self Is A Dirty Offensive Slap In Our Face’s For The Jobs That We Do Protecting And Serving Our Citizen’s Of Detroit And Its Out Side Guessed’s !! The Criminal’s Don’t Give A Damn About Your Policies Or Gun Free Zones. That Is What They Target Because The Criminal’s Know They Are Not Going To Get Shot Back.!! Just Because We Are Volunteer Law Enforcement Doesn’t Mean For You Or Anyone To Discriminate Against Us With These Policies Of Gun Free Zones. I am Speaking For All Volunteer Reserve And Auxillary Police Officer’s. This Is My Personal Opinion.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 1:50 AM
Posted by Off. Phil Colonnelli, Inglewood, CA PD, retired.
If I read this correctly, out of state Active or Retired LEO’s are not covered under this policy even if they meet all the requirements under Title 18 section 926 (b) & (c) of the U.S. Code that allows carrying of a concealed firearm in all 50 states.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 1:34 AM
Posted by john doe
You are in violation of any officer in law enforcement across michigan at these troubling times and to tell anyone including a reserve or auxiliary whom bleeds blues aswell in my book is a crime against the first amendment and exempt laws which allow any officer to carry but since you choose to do so. I will no longer attend a home game. I do respect your choice and mixing booze with a firearm is a misdemeanor and is very understanding. But making this press release while honest hardworking cops and reserves across the nation are put in the field everyday to help departments in need. I will no longer as a former p.o. whom was in charge of reserves attend any home games or watch the Tigers on tv or any sports games.
Thank you and good luck in your future law suit against this end amendment violation for anyone whom is exempt.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 12:45 AM
Posted by MICHAEL
NO, I WONT BE ATTENDING GAMES THIS YEAR OR ANY YEAR, TILL YOU CHANGE YOUR POLICY ON CPL, LEGAL CARRYING HANDGUNS.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 12:16 AM
Posted by Gary Posluszny
You’re focusing on the wrong demographics. Good luck Comerica Park.
Posted on March 31, 2016 at 12:15 AM
Posted by Darrin Johnson
What about State Corrections Officers whom have been granted permission by Governor Snyder to conceal carry on these zones? It should b for ANYONE and EVERUONE whom has the state recognized Exemption box checked on their CPL.
Posted on March 30, 2016 at 10:02 PM
Posted by Pam Smith
Thank you for allowing them to carry inside the stadium. There have been too many incidents and this will help everyone enjoy the game safely.
Posted on March 30, 2016 at 9:15 PM
Posted by Carl Sayre
This seems a little restrictive but there are issues of liability. I applaud the common sense approach, especially the identifying wristbands that the Tiger organization has taken it is always a good idea to have well trained people in a group with the ability to help.
Posted on March 30, 2016 at 8:05 PM
Posted by Mark agnew
I for one appreciate the forward thinking of the tiger stadium organization, everyone is a little bit safer for this and it shows that not everyone is giving in to the deterioration of our constitutional law
Posted on March 30, 2016 at 7:14 PM
Posted by Dave Kottke
Retired must have ID and a CPL that exempts them from pistol free zone, this makes no sense, as a retiree I am exempted from pistol free zones per the current laws or am I not understanding something?
Posted on March 30, 2016 at 6:19 PM
Posted by Tom Harmsen
KUDOS for a well thought out policy. And THANK YOU ! a retired LEO
Posted on March 30, 2016 at 5:51 PM