World Police and Fire Games

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The World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) are an biennial athletic event open to active and retired law enforcement and fire service personnel throughout the world. The WPFG Federation is an arm of the California Police Athletic Federation ([CPAF]), a U.S. organisation.

Held every two years, the Games offer approximately sixty sports (and almost 80 disciplines), including Angling, Wrestling and Pistol Shooting. Participation is approximately 10,000 entrants, slightly fewer than the Summer Olympic Games, and exceeding the third position holder, the Commonwealth Games.

The flag of the Federation

The flag of the 2005 games

History

The California Police Olympics were first held in 1967 in San Diego, California, USA, and have been held annually since. In 2000, they became the California Police and Fire Games, when firefighters were invited to compete. In 2005, they changed yet again to become the Western States Police and Fire Games (WSPFG). Eight western US states are currently invited to participate: California, Arizona, Hawaii, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, Utah and Washington. The 2005 Games were held in Reno, Nevada, the first time they have been held outside of California. San Diego, California will Host the 2006 WSPFG, and Mesa, Arizona was recently selected to host the 2007 Games.

With the continuing success of the California Games, planning began in 1983 for the first World Police & Fire Games, which were held in 1985 in San Jose, California.

2011: New York, New York, USA
2009: Vancouver area, British Columbia, Canada
2007: Adelaide, South Australia, Australia http://www.2007wpfg.com
2005: Québec City, Québec, Canada http://www.2005wpfg.com
2003: Barcelona, Spain http://www.2003wpfg.org
2001: Indianapolis, Indiana, USA
1999: Stockholm, Sweden
1997: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
1995: Melbourne, Australia
1993: Colorado Springs, Colorado, USA http://www.coloradospringswpfg.org
1991: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
1989: Vancouver, Canada
1987: San Diego, California, USA
1985: San Jose, California, USA

Each instance of the Games has its own logo since at least 1999, and there is a flag sporting that logo as well (the 2005 flag is attested, but not the earlier Games).

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