USPFC ELIGIBILITY

Effective Date: December 1, 2025

Purpose:

The United States Police & Fire Championships (USPFC) exist to celebrate the camaraderie, physical fitness, and professional excellence of those who serve in public safety and protective services around the world. To reflect the evolving structure of public safety agencies and to recognize the contributions of their full workforce, eligibility has been expanded to include all employees of eligible agencies and entities. This policy defines who may compete in the USPFC and establishes the standards by which eligibility is determined and verified.

1. General Eligibility

In order to be eligible to compete in the United States Police & Fire Championships, an athlete must meet one of the following criteria:

• Active-Duty Personnel:
  Assigned to a public agency as a Law Enforcement Officer, Peace Officer, Firefighter, Customs, or Correctional Officer in good standing.
• Retired Personnel:
  A retired full-time Law Enforcement Officer, Peace Officer, Firefighter, Customs, or Correctional Officer. All retired officers must provide proof of such service.
• Reserve Officers:
  A Reserve Law Enforcement Officer, Peace Officer, or Firefighter in good standing, of an eligible agency with a minimum of two years’ service.
• Emergency Medical Services (EMS):
  An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) or Paramedic in good standing of an eligible agency with a minimum of two years’ service.
  Retired EMTs or Paramedics with ten (10) or more years of service are invited to compete.  All retired personnel must provide proof of such service.
• Volunteer or Part-Time Firefighters:
  A Volunteer or Part-Time Firefighter in good standing of an eligible agency with a minimum of two years’ service.
  Retired volunteer or part-time Firefighters with ten (10) or more years of service are invited to compete.  All retired personnel must provide proof of such service.
• Non-Sworn Employees:
  A non-sworn, full-time employee (active or retired) of an eligible agency or organization.
  Retired or separated employees with ten (10) or more years of service from an eligible agency are invited to compete.  All retired personnel must provide proof of such service.

2. Expanded Eligibility – All Agency Employees

In addition to the categories listed above, eligibility is now open to all employees who work directly for an eligible public safety agency or entity that meets the established USPFC criteria.

This includes:

• Full-time, part-time, or retired employees whose work supports the mission and operations of an eligible agency.
• Employees serving in sworn, civilian, administrative, technical, or support roles, provided they are directly employed by an eligible agency or entity.

Employment Status and Standing to be eligible to compete, employees must:

• Be currently employed in good standing with an eligible agency or entity or be officially retired from such an agency.
• Be able to provide verification of their employment or retirement status upon request.
• Be “in good standing”, meaning they are not under suspension, termination for cause, or subject to disciplinary action that questions their integrity or professional conduct.

3. Eligible Agencies and Entities

Eligible agencies or entities are those recognized under the USPFC framework, including but not limited to:

• Municipal, County, State, and National Police Departments/Services
• Fire and Rescue Departments/Services
• Sheriff’s Departments
• Correctional, Probation, and Parole Agencies
• Customs, Immigration, and Border Protection Services
• Emergency Medical Services (public sector only)
• District Attorney’s Investigative Units
• Port, Harbor, and Airport Police and Fire Departments
• Lifeguard, Forestry, and Fish & Game Enforcement Services
• Accredited University or College Police Departments
• Other public safety, emergency response, or law enforcement-related government agencies recognized by the USPFC Federation.

Employees of these agencies, whether sworn or non-sworn, are eligible if their employment is directly with the agency and not through a private or corporate contract.

4. Exclusions

To maintain the integrity and mission of the Games, the following are not eligible to compete:

• Corporate representatives, private contractors, vendors, or consultants not directly employed by an eligible agency.
• Family members of eligible personnel who are not employed by an eligible agency or entity.
• Individuals employed by private companies or organizations that provide contracted services to public agencies (e.g., private security, ambulance, or prison services).
• Military Police or Fire Departments (non-civilian).
• Police Cadets or Interns.
• Private Security Services.
• Private Paramedic Services.
• Pre-employment Police Science Students.
• Private Prisons.

5. Verification and Compliance

All participants must provide proof of service and verification of their employment or retirement status during registration.  Acceptable verification may include:

• An official agency-issued employment or retirement identification card
• A letter of verification on agency letterhead signed by an authorized official
• Other official documentation confirming employment or retirement

The USPFC Federation and Host Committee reserve the right to review and confirm eligibility at any time.  Any false representation of employment or eligibility status will result in disqualification and may lead to suspension from future Games.

6. Retirement Status

Athletes entering as “retired” must meet the following criteria:

• Be retired in good standing from an eligible agency.
• Have served a minimum of ten (10) years, unless separated for medical reasons.
• Provide identification, such as an agency-issued retirement ID or an official letter from their former agency.

Definitions

• Normal Retirement: The person has served long enough to qualify for retirement and has reached the retirement age defined by their system.
• Length of Service Retirement: The person has completed no less than twenty (20) years of good conduct service and resigns with or without a benefit.
• Other Retirement Categories: Deferred, Lump Sum, Contract, or Disability Retirements may also be accepted upon review by the USPFC Federation.
• Medically retired entrants must provide a sport-specific medical release upon request.

7. Grounds for Disqualification

• Any person who enters or attempts to enter the Games knowing they are ineligible, or any person who enters an ineligible competitor, will be disqualified.
• Any team with an ineligible player will be disqualified.
• No refunds will be issued in such cases.

8. Federation Authority

Eligibility to participate in the USPFC is at the sole discretion of the USPFC Board of Directors.
Other emergency service agencies may apply to the USPFC Eligibility Sub-Committee for consideration.  The USPFC Board reserves the right to refuse entries from any individual or agency.

9. Intent and Spirit of the Policy

This policy expansion demonstrates the USPFC Federation’s commitment to inclusivity within the public safety community while maintaining the integrity of the Games.  It ensures that all individuals who contribute to the mission and success of their agencies, whether sworn or civilian, are recognized as part of the global police, fire, and public safety family.

For more information contact Dave Miklos at dmiklos@cpaf.org