FIRSTENERGY-STADIUM-RENDERING-2013.JPG

Artist's rendering of the eventual appearance of FirstEnergy Stadium, provided by the Browns and FirstEnergy earlier this year.

(FirstEnergy rendering)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A new NFL policy will keep off-duty cops from taking guns into FirstEnergy Stadium, according to an internal Cleveland police memo.

The rule, which police said took effect Sept. 11, applies to all NFL facilities and all off-duty federal, state and local law enforcement officers.

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Off-duty officers who attempt to bring firearms into an NFL facility will be denied entry. An armed officer will only be allowed inside a league facility if they are working an NFL game or event in an official capacity, according to the memo.

The Cleveland Division of Police did not respond to a request for comment on the policy.

Jeff Follmer, president of the Cleveland Police Patrolmen’s Association, said the policy is “disappointing.”

“We are police officers 24/7,” Follmer said. “I don’t know why anyone would want to disarm a police officer.”

Earlier this year, the NFL made another major change to its security policy, limiting the size and types of bags patrons can bring into stadiums. The policy forces Browns fans – and NFL fans everywhere – to use small, clear bags to hold their belongings when entering stadiums.

The NFL implemented the clear bag policy in the wake of the Boston Marathon bombing earlier this year.

The firearm rule was implemented after the league examined its best practices and decided the policy would enhance the gameday experience, an NFL spokesman said.