The origin of the International Law Enforcement Games can be traced back to Duke Nyeus in California. He, and other law enforcement officers in the United States, started the Games. Today, it is a national sporting competition of immence proportions.
In 1971, the events were formally titled the ‘National Law Enforcement Games’ and the competition was held in Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.A. In 1972, the activities of the ‘National Law Enforcement Games’ included competitors from around the world next taking place in San Francisco, California, USA.
Since that time, the games have been scheduled for every other year. These games provide a splendid opportunity for world class competition among law enforcement officers, while offering the competitors a chance to get to know their global colleagues better.
Dates and locations of the subsequent International Law Enforcement Law Games are as follows:
1976 – Jacksonville, Florida, USA
1978 – San Diego, California, USA
1980 – Nassau, New York, USA
1982 – Austin, Texas, USA
1984 – Phoenix, Arizona, USA
1986 – Columbus, Ohio, USA
1988 – Sydney, Australia
1990 – Edmonton, Canada
1992 – Washington D.C., USA
1994 – Birmingham, Alabama, USA
1996 – Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
1998 – Dubai, United Arab Emirates
2000 – Cocoa Beach, Florida, USA
Since 1988, the organization of the International Law Enforcement Games has been exerting efforts to schedule the games at locations outside the United States every two years.
The number of participants and the variety of events has increased every year. In 1971, there were approximately one hundred participants and 15 events. By 1996, there were more than 3,000 participants and about 35 events. As each game was scheduled for a new location, the new host could choose to add two new competitive events.
Today, the organization of the International Law Enforcement Law Games is governed by a board of directors comprised of law enforcement officers. Its board of directors meets yearly in February. Every other year, this meeting is held in a location outside the United States.
Source: International Law Enforcement Games