Thank you! Rotterdam has been given the honor of organizing this large international mixed-sport event in the world. In the summer of almost 10, people who work in police, fire, customs and corrections departments from all over the world will compete in more than 60 sports. The Games will be held in Birmingham from June 27— July 6, Find out how here!
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We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. For many, though, the cancellations were a disappointment after months of training, vacation time off from work and personal expense. Despite the short-term damper of Hurricane Irene, the games were back in full swing on Monday, August Admittedly, there were organizational problems.
Other athletes were being given the same message as they massed around the outside of the Javits Center. Computers were down and organizers were overwhelmed with athletes already inside the building. I just hit the park first then returned later to get credentialed and check in. The exciting part for me was seeing all these law enforcement and emergency response professionals gathered in the Big Apple sporting their team and country colors.
Most impressive were the coordinated and sleekly uniformed contingent from Spain. There was also a Canadian group with their distinctive red and white uniforms with large red maple leaf spotted along 33rd street with a member of the group walking alongside in her dress Royal Canadian Mounted Police uniform. Not a common sight for busy, seen-it-all New Yorkers. Just as my excitement over competing in the games was not going to be diminished by the approach of Hurricane Irene, I could sense that the competitive fires of the thousands of other athletes would not be either.
Admittedly there were problems in the way the games were run. In talking to other athletes and reading daily posts on the World Police and Fire Games Connect Platform it was evident that many participants were upset. Natural disaster aside there were other glitches, miscues, and planning-related issues that athletes cited for these games.
A group of Irish firefighters from the Dublin Fire Brigade I met at Icahn Stadium told me of the games in Quebec and how smoothly and professionally those games were run. Still, they said they were having a blast in New York City and the competition was as good as ever.
A German police officer I met while clerking in for the m run said that he was disappointed one of his events was cancelled but happy to be in New York and competing. He had completed the NYC Marathon and now returned with his wife for this competition then off for a few days in Vegas before heading home. We talked about running and the job then met back up on the track to wish each other good luck before our respective races. This was what the these games were about, the camaraderie among dedicated professionals and the competition all while remembering the sacrifices made by so many of our brothers and sisters along the way.
Still, complaints were registered frequently on the WPFG website, and it cannot be ignored that problems did seem to persist. From the simple — not having most of the results posted — to the serious — safety issues for competitors. But just as frequent were the postings of athletes and volunteers getting together, swapping mementos, and making new friendships.
My personal take on the World Police and Fire Games was that they were a blast. The competition was first class, the other officers and firefighters I met were superb and the general spirit of those competing, along with that of their friends and family who came to support and cheer them on, could not be suppressed by the hurricane or planning issues.
Just like the Michigan cop and Spanish firefighter I met on my last day of competition, I am already planning for Belfast in Terrence P. He is now a tenured Professor in the Justice and Law Administration Department at Western Connecticut State University and an attorney in private practice representing law enforcement officers in disciplinary cases, critical incidents, and employment matters. More Police1 Articles.
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