National Public Safety Football League

2026 Official’s Guidelines for League Play

 

The National Public Safety Football League (NPSFL) is a football league consisting of 14 teams from all regions of the United States comprised of players currently working as public safety professionals and approved for participation by the governing body (NPSFL). The purpose of the League is to generate funds for local charities while promoting goodwill and camaraderie amongst the different agencies involved in our League.

 

As an official for the NPSFL we expect you to fairly and impartially oversee the play of the teams participating in our league sanctioned game. 

 

We want all officials to be aware that we support your efforts. You have been chosen to oversee our games and as a League we truly appreciate your contribution to the goals of our League. Each game played by our teams is important to the overall success of our League. It is also important for the proper placement of each team as we determine which teams will be eligible for participation in championship games. 

 

In the event an incident or action occurs during a game that requires further attention, all of the follow up investigations and inquiries will be handled by the NPSFL Vice President, who is currently Tim Kusinski of the Chicago Enforcers. The Vice President will be involved in any player ejections or flagrant fouls that would normally be handled by a conference director as directed in the NCAA rules.

 

All games play on the field will follow the rules set forth by the NCAA. Additionally, our League requires that the Referee (White Hat) and the Umpire be officially sanctioned and recognized as certified NCAA Officials. A minimum of 5 officials are required for a regular season League game and all non-NCAA officials must have a familiarity with NCAA rules of play.  A minimum of 7 officials are required for League Championship Games. 

 

At the completion of all games, the Referee is required to sign and date the NPSFL Contest Results Report form, as well as provide contact information and the NCAA official’s organization to which they are a member. The Referee will completely fill out the report. 

 

NCAA Rules Exceptions

 

While play on the field is to be strictly enforced within the framework of the rules set forth by the NCAA, certain rules are exempted from enforcement during NPSFL play. Below is a list of rules that will not be enforced for play in the NPSFL. No rules pertaining to game play are to be adjusted or modified in any way, shape or form. An example of an adjustment is to eliminate cut blocking for a game.  

 

• • Tinted face shields are not permitted (this is not an exception but is stated for clarity). The exception is if a doctor’s note is provided stating that the tinted face shield is medically necessary.
  • Players are encouraged, but not required, to wear hip, tail, thigh or knee pads.
  • Players are required to wear in good repair and safe appearance
    • Helmet, with chin strap and mouth piece
    • Shoulder Pads
    • Matching Uniform
  • Players may wear uniform numbers inconsistent with the NCAA rules pertaining to uniform numbers for eligible positions. We allow this for a number of reasons ranging from teams with limited budgets to players wearing a uniform number that was assigned prior to them changing positions.
    • Players wearing uniform numbers inconsistent with their position must be declared by the Head Coach prior to the game.
    • If during a game a player is required to play a position not consistent with their number, the Referee must be notified prior to the beginning of that play.
  • As most games are played on fields marked for high school play, we require that the umpire ensure that whenever a ball is to be spotted on either hash that the ball be placed in the appropriate position consistent with the hash location for a NCAA marked field.
  • All games must be played with a league approved ball. The currently approved ball is a standard Wilson GST, Pattern 1003 or 1005, NCAA Certified leather (not synthetic) game ball. It is preferred, but not required, that the ball have the official League Logo embossed on it.
    • In the rare event of foul weather and a large number of balls are required, the Referee may allow another ball to be used so long as the ball meets the NCAA standards and is marked as being such.
  • There will be no use of kicking blocks for any PAT or Field Goals.
  • Game Officials will not in any way be connected with the agencies, players, coaches or staff members of either team. Connected means they shall not be employed or have been employed by any agency of the teams involved, or be a family member to anyone on the teams involved.  
  • Kickoffs to start a half or after a score will follow the NFL kickoff rule modification. (Separate sheet attached with more details)

 

Any questions pertaining to game play can be directed to the NPSFL Vice President as follows:

 

NPSFL Vice President

Cell Phone: (773) 517-9033

Email: tkusinski@aol.com

Tim Kusinski (Chicago Enforcers)