Law enforcement prepares for Final Four in Minneapolis

The Final Four in Minneapolis is right around the corner, and local law enforcement is already preparing for what's to come.

Law enforcement officers met Tuesday at the Minneapolis Convention Center to discuss security protocols for the big event.

Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo addressed the group ahead of the training exercise.

“In the event we should have an occurrence, we want to make sure that we are well-prepared for that and that we are all speaking the same language and we are all on the same page,” he said.

Set for April 5-8, the Final Four is expected to bring about 90,000 people to U.S. Bank Stadium. Police are treating the event like a mini Super Bowl, with a lot of the same security tactics including surveillance cameras and a 24/7 command watch center.

The Super Bowl had well over 60 law enforcement agencies working together; the Final Four will use about 30 different departments, with the FBI acting as the lead agency.

“One of the things we learned from the Super Bowl is making sure that we had numerous daily briefings, nightly briefings. We will have different agencies working with us in Minneapolis."

Another challenge is the logistics of various events held across a number of venues in the metro. There are outdoor activities planned, as well as a recently announced 3-on-3 tournament at the Mall of America.

Chief Arradondo said the community plays an active role in pulling this all together.

"If our residents, tourists folks see something, say something," he said.