Guide

Large Scale Security Events (LSSEs) pose unique challenges for public safety and security planning and operations. Presidential Nominating Conventions and other events of national significance as determined by their political, economic, social, or religious nature that may be targets of terrorism or criminal activity are categorized as a particular subset of LSSEs, known as National Special Security Events (NSSEs). Due to the high-profile nature and large number of attendees, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Secret Service (USSS) classified the 2016 Democratic National Convention (DNC) as a National Special Security Event (NSSE). In order to update local law enforcement on planning and operational best practices and lessons learned related to planning and securing these events, the National Policing Institute (PF)—through a technical assistance agreement from the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA) National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC)—developed updated Quick Look Analysis reports for the 2016 Republican National Convention (RNC) in Cleveland and the DNC in Philadelphia. This Philadelphia Quick Look Analysis Report (Quick Look) highlights preliminary lessons learned and best practices for use in planning future LSSEs.