Nineteen provincial peace officers, along with police and fire representatives from across B.C., are heading to Northern Ireland to compete at one of the largest sporting events in the world.

The athletes are competing at the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG) in Belfast from Aug. 1 to Aug. 10 and will take part in a number of events including the triathlon, softball, golf, shot-put and the triple jump.

The province is represented by Ministry of Justice staff from BC Sheriff Services, BC Corrections, the BC Coroners Service, as well as members of the Ministry of Children and Family Development's youth justice sector and the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch of the Ministry of Finance. They join members of the RCMP, independent municipal police departments and fire organizations from throughout B.C.

Quotes:

Attorney General and Minister of Justice Suzanne Anton -

"Congratulations to the entire team that is taking part in the World Police and Fire Games this year in Northern Ireland. Competing at one of the world's largest sporting events is an opportunity to show to the world the dedication of our B.C. peace officers, who work every day to maintain public safety and enforce the law."

Minister of Children and Family Development Stephanie Cadieux -

"I am proud to see some of our leading experts in youth justice competing at this international event. These individuals work hard every day helping young people who have come into conflict with the law. I have no doubt they will apply this same dedication to this event. I know they'll do an outstanding job representing B.C. and I wish them the best of luck."

British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police president Inspector Brad Haugli -

"Each and every one of these competitors is a credit to their profession and their home agency. The fact that they train and compete on their own time and on their own dime shows that the camaraderie, teamwork and commitment that is so much a part of their daily work keeping British Columbians safe is really part of who they are 24/7."

Fire Chiefs' Association of British Columbia president, Fire Chief Timothy Pley -

"I would like to congratulate all the firefighters and representatives who are taking part in this year's games. We are very proud of the athleticism of B.C.'s firefighters - and now is our chance to show our prowess on the world stage."

Quick Facts:

• Participants in the biennial event are active and retired law enforcement, customs, corrections and fire and emergency service personnel.

• WPFG is the third-largest international multi-sport event in the world. The 2013 Games will have more competitors than any previous Commonwealth Games.

• More than 7,000 competitors from 60 countries are expected to take part.

• Over 10 days of competition, athletes will take part in 56 sports held at 41 venues across Northern Ireland ranging from wrestling, biathlon and pistol shooting to karate. The "toughest competitor alive" event involves nine sports over two days.

• B.C. government team members fund their own participation in these events; however they received a track suit, duffel bag, and support for their registration costs.

Learn More:

Find out more about the event at: http://www.2013wpfg.com/

A backgrounder follows.

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961

BACKGROUNDER

The provincial team is made up of officers who uphold the law and maintain public safety in B.C. Some of the members taking part in the 2013 World Police and Fire Games include:

• Bill Mulcahy, a special provincial constable with the Gaming Policy and Enforcement Branch and also a former RCMP officer, who will compete on the co-ed softball team that won a bronze medal at the WPFG 2009.
• Youth Probation Officer Wesley McVey heads to Belfast looking to become a two-time WPFG gold medalist. Wesley captured gold in softball at the 2009 games hosted in Burnaby. This time around, he sets his sights on the triathlon.
• After 32 years of service in adult corrections and youth justice services, Kemal Khan now works part-time as a community coroner in Burnaby. Kemal participated in the WPFG as part of the youth justice soccer team in 2010 and is now looking forward to bringing home a team golf award this year.
• One of B.C.'s youth justice experts, Anne Kimmitt heads to Belfast to compete in team golf. Anne has had a long career in the youth and criminal justice fields, now providing support, expertise and training to youth probation officers, youth custody staff, police, Crown counsel and others working in the field throughout B.C.
• From the Community Corrections office in Kamloops, two probation officers will be competing - Nadia Haazen, an avid cyclist, will be showing her skills in the triathlon and Heather Hutchings will be paddling in the dragon boat race.
• After 20 years of dedicated service with BC Corrections, Dianne Chapman, a corrections officer at Alouette Correctional Centre for Women, is set to retire and decided now was the time to compete on the world stage in bowling.
• Sgt. Scott Adams with BC Sheriff Services is an avid golfer and considers his trip to Ireland to compete in an international golf tournament at the WPFG a 'bucket list' moment.
• Deputy Sheriff Shauna Quigley has been a member of BC Sheriff Services since 1992 - and prior to that was an RCMP member for 11 years. Shauna is competing for the first time at the WPFG and hopes to perform at her peak in swimming the breast stroke and back stroke.
• Deputy Sheriff Denzil Gow has been a member of BC Sheriff Services for two and a half years and is competing for the first time at the WFPG in the pistol competitions.
• From the Saanich Police Department, Const. Matt Morin will be attending the games to compete in wrestling and Const. Heather Hunter will take part in the indoor rowing competition.
• Const. Kendra Felkar of the Terrace RCMP Detachment is attending the WPFG this year as part of the Western Canada Women's Rugby 7s team.
• The Vancouver Police Department is sending a contingent of four members to compete in the games - ret. Supt. Steve Schnitzer, ret. Insp. Rick McKenna, Supt. John Grywinski and S/Sgt. Ab Humayun.
• Central Saanich Police Service Deputy Chief Les Sylven is the only police officer from B.C. competing in the judo event in Belfast. He previously fought in the 2009 WPFG in Burnaby, finishing fifth in his under 73-kg division.

Media Contact:

Government Communications and Public Engagement
Ministry of Justice
250 356-6961