Old Saybrook, Conn. -- Wal-Mart is getting ready for its Christmas rush on Black Friday. This season, the retailer is taking extra precautions after a man was trampled to death at a store on Long Island last year.

Walmart store managers are asking to hire local police to control crowds for the predawn Christmas rush on the Friday after Thanksgiving.

Managers in Old Saybrook would not comment about the findings that they plan on hiring as many as four police officers for security on the busiest retail shopping day of the year.

In a statement released by Wal-Mart, spokesperson Daphne Moore said, “Customer and associate safety is always a top priority for us. This holiday season is no exception and we will continue to look for ways to make sure our customers have a positive shopping experience.”

Old Saybrook is not alone in the request by Wal-Mart to hire officers. Watford police also confirmed the store there wants to hire its officers to help control crowds.