Heat’s on world games in Las Vegas

Heather Rawlyk

Tuesday, Aug. 10, 2004 | 7:56 a.m.

More than 3,900 police officers and firefighters from around the world are vying for the gold in Las Vegas this week in the International Police & Fire Games.

The event -- which is patterned, loosely, on the Olympic Games -- started at the Riviera hotel Sunday night with an arm wrestling contest and will wind up this weekend with a variety of games, including basketball, swimming and a poker match.

This is the first time the International Police & Fire Games has been hosted in Las Vegas since it began in 1977, according to Michael Karstedt, treasurer for the Nevada Police Athletic Federation and investigative supervisor for the criminal division of the Clark County district attorney's office.

Seventeen countries are being represented in this year's games, joining together police officers and firefighters from countries such as Russia, Australia, France, Brazil and even Hungary, Karstedt said.

Several states are also competing, including California, Florida, Tennessee, Hawaii and Ohio, he said.

"Places like Florida and California always win a lot of gold medals," Karstedt said. "These are places that have 5,000 different agencies and larger departments than other states, so they're strong and always good competitors."

The Las Vegas Valley's police officers and firefighters "can still hold their own, though," he added.

"We have some really good men's softball teams," he said. "We're good at softball and good at bowling."

Two local teams took victories at Sunset Park in Henderson Monday night in the Men's Open Softball competition.

The Las Vegas Police & Fire team, coached by Metro Police Detectives Kevin Johnson and Chris Leveque, beat the Kauai Boys 25-4, according to Shane Robb, vice president of the Nevada Police Athletic Federation and director of softball for the event. The Clark County team, composed of several county law enforcement agencies, was also victorious, beating California Justice 23-3.

"Now the biggest competition will be if these two teams play each other in the finals," Robb said. "That's happened before and it's a big deal. Whoever wins gets the bragging rights until the next competition down the road."

The games also give police and firefighters a chance to make friends and network, Robb said.

"This event is huge in providing fellowship and even networking opportunities for down the road," he said. "You can make contacts at these events from all over the country and then down the road, you've got an investigation that involves a certain state's agency, and there you have a contact."

Metro Detective Jim Murray, coach for the Clark County team, said the event also gives officers a chance to "put a face with a name."

"There are several people I've spoken with on the telephone from other states, and then you meet them here and say 'Hey, I know you,' " he said. "There's just great camaraderie here for everyone. Everyone should come out."

Events are taking place daily throughout the city and are open to the public.

For a list of events, times and venues, visit the Web site at npaf.net.