In a public statement Tuesday, U.S. Bank Stadium operator SMG announced the termination of a three-year contract with Monterrey Security after only one year due to inadequacies in record-keeping, employee training and background checks.
An investigation conducted by a Minneapolis law firm found that Monterrey Security has failed to comply with Minnesota state licensing requirements in regards to employee training and certifications.
According to Minnesota Sports Facilities Authority chairman Mike Vekich, the security firm was notified of the termination on Monday; by Tuesday, the stadium had new security personnel in place.
“Even though Monterrey failed to comply with regulations and established policies, that did not lead to any operational security issues,” Vekich told the StarTribune.
After subjecting Monterrey Security founder Juan Gaytan to a cross-examination questioning session, the Minnesota Private Detective and Protective Services Agency Board has decided against renewing the firm’s state operating license.
In justification of that decision, Board chairman Richard Hodson alleged that Monterrey Security employed hundreds of insufficiently-trained or unlicensed personnel to perform security functions at the stadium.
Gaytan countered that employees tasked with overseeing metal detectors, searching bags or working on the field on game days were not providing security functions; however, such duties do fall under security functions according to state law.
The legal report also found that volunteer workers for stadium fundraisers and other nonprofit events were not subjected to the required background checks.
Monterrey Security’s termination comes five days prior to the Vikings’ Sunday game against the Detroit Lions, which is expected to sell out the stadium. SMG general manager Patrick Talty assured reporters that a transition plan was already in place when the contract was terminated.
The remainder of the three-year security contract will be carried out by Roseville-based Whelan Security in partnership with G4S. The original contract was scheduled to end in February 2019.
