The First "Police Olympics"

Today, there are a number of Police and Fire multi-sport athletic programs taking place throughout the United States and in several countries around the world. The California Police Olympics, the first of these, were held in 1967 in San Diego.

The California Games have been held annually for almost 40 years and are governed by the California Police Athletic Federation (CPAF).  Every year, an average of 5000-6000 law enforcement and fire service officers compete in more than 60 different sports. 

In 2000, the name was changed to California Police and Fire Games, when firefighters were invited to compete.  In 2005, the name changed once again, to become the Western States Police & Fire Games.  Western states currently invited to participate are:  Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. The 2008 Western States Police & Fire Games will be in Boise, Idaho, while 2009 will see the Games travel to Los Angeles.

The World Police & Fire Games Begin

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. The aim of the World Police and Fire Games is to offer the same variety of sports, and same high caliber of venues, officials and athletic achievement as the California Games, but on a global scale.

Subsequent World Police & Fire Games have been held biennially in San Diego, California; Vancouver, Canada; Memphis, Tennessee; Colorado Springs, Colorado; Melbourne, Australia; Calgary, Canada; Stockholm, Sweden; Indianapolis, Indiana; Barcelona, Spain; Quebec City, Canada; and Adelaide, South Australia; with upcoming Games in British Columbia (2009), New York City (2011), and Northern Ireland (2013).

The size and scope of the World Games continues to grow. Attendance has steadily increased as have the number of countries involved.   While attendance averages about 9000, the 2003 WPFG in Barcelona holds the current attendance record with over 10,500 athletes competing in 63 sports from almost 70 countries.   At least 10,000 competitors are expected to attend the British Columbia Games in 2009.  With family and traveling companions, the number in overall attendance will top 25,000.

While the World Olympics are indisputably number one in the terms of competitors attending, the two sports’ programs administered by the CPAF are second and third in number of entrants.  In addition, our Games offer far more sporting disciplines than the Summer and Winter Olympics combined.

Federation Administration

In 1970, the California Police Athletic Federation was established as a Federal “501 (c) 3” Non-Profit Corporation to administer and perpetuate the Games. CPAF is governed by a Board of Directors made up of active and retired police officers.

To better manage the Games, the World Police and Fire Games Federation, and the Western States Police & Fire Games Federation were created under the umbrella of the CPAF.  The WPFG Federation Board of Directors includes fire service and law enforcement personnel from the U.S., Australia, Canada and Belgium.  Firefighters also serve on the Board of Directors of the Western States Police & Fire Games Federation.

Parties interested in hosting a future Games are invited to contact the California Police Athletic Federation using the information below.

Mike Graham, President

California Police Athletic Federation

8304 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., #107

San Diego  CA  92111

Tele:  858.571.9919

Fax: 858.571.1641

E-Mail:  4info@cpaf.org