If there’s one person who best embodies the spirit of the World Police and Fire Games (WPFG), 78-year-old Welsh runner Paul Jenkins would be a top choice. The retired Royal Navy electrician and Prison Service employee was among the first UK Corrections athletes to participate in WPFG when they were hosted in Melbourne in 1995. He’s powered through all 15 games since, and he has a special reason to go to Birmingham for #16.

Jenkins has completed 33 London Marathons, several with his wife Liz who is also a committed runner and constant companion. “In fact, we ran the London Marathon hand-in-hand to celebrate our 50th anniversary, me in a gold bow tie and Liz in a gold tutu,” he recalls. “That’s my slowest ever marathon, but it was probably the most enjoyable.”
Then he quips,“I tell people now that the London Marathon is getting longer because my time is getting slower!”
Jenkins has also amassed an impressive WPFG medal count, enough to be honored with induction to the WPFG Hall of Fame in 2019. He was also recognized for his genuine interest in others and contributing smiles, enthusiasm and good cheer. “We have built up so many friends from all over the world because of these Games,” he says. “We’ve had a Japanese fireman come and stay with us here in Bournemouth! It’s the camaraderie of the thing, and it’s friendly competition. Everybody gets a pat on the back, well done, and that’s what it’s all about.”

Visiting new places where the Games have been hosted is a highlight for Jenkins, but he has a special mission to complete when he and Liz come to Birmingham in 2025. “There is a church there that was burned down by the Ku Klux Klan many years ago.” He explains. The people of all the villages in Wales took up a collection and donated a stained-glass window to help rebuild the church.”

The couple is eager to visit The Wales Window and place Welsh flags at the 16th Avenue Baptist Church when they when they come to the Magic City. “Birmingham, Alabama never knew where Wales was,” he says, “but they certainly will next year!”

The fit Brit ran the 5K, 10K, cross-country and a half marathon over the course of a week at the 2023 World Police and Fire Games in Winnipeg, Canada, and plans to do the same next year in Birmingham. With a smile.
Jenkins still typically runs 10 miles per day and has run competitively since 1982. The Jenkins have a favorite UK charity and raise money from their London and Reading races to raise money for the Children’s Liver Disease Foundation.

All of these accomplishments are the result of a deeper motivation that feeds his wellbeing. “I run simply because I enjoy it,” he says. “I’m lucky that I’m in a beautiful part of the world. I just tend to train on my own. I’ll go for a run down to the beach most days in Bournemouth and enjoy the sunshine.”

“I always say all you need is a decent pair of shoes and to just keep going.”

By Del Moon

The love of sports has taken Kristine Franz Ramos around the world. The 41-year-old police seargent in Maliki City, Phillippines grew up playing a variety of sports and earned a basketball scholarship playing with a team that repeatedly won college championships in the Philippines.

After joining the police, Kristine started competing in their police and military league and won medals in several sports. Then came The World Police and Fire Games in 2019, and last summer she brought home a bronze medal in karate from Winnipeg. The experience has literally expanded her perspective.

“Sports represent the ultimate neutral ground, and there’s something about being on neutral ground that draws people together,” she said. “It’s special to compete internationally and find new friends. I also have family abroad who live in the host countries and have been able to visit them.”

Kristine embraces her job with equal passion. “I consider myself a role model. This is my dream to serve and protect my country,” she said. “Knowing that I am making a difference and helping make my country safer is the most rewarding aspect of this job, and it’s what drives me as a police officer every day.”

By Del Moon

The 2023 World Police and Fire Games may have been in Winnipeg Canada, but after repeatedly hearing “Fort Worth” and “That’s a new record!” announced at the powerlifting venue one might have thought a cattle drive was coming through from the heart of Texas.

The Fort Worth Police Department Powerlifting Team brought 15 officers, men and women ranging from 23 to their mid 50s to Canada. They came home with 15 medals (nine gold) and established nine new WPFG records in the various events and weight classes. And it’s not their first rodeo.

“Besides promoting fitness within the department, it’s also a big deal for our men and women to go to these games and do so well,” says team co-founder Officer Polo Meza. He recalls seeing the Texas Police Games had powerlifting when he got out of police academy in 2014. After winning gold in his first try, Meza formed a department team in 2015 and has developed a longtime sponsor relationship with The Bolt Street Gym. FWPD has been a regular at WPFG since 2017, racking up records even before their explosive performance in 2023. The team is already setting individual goals for Birmingham next year.

“Our name has grown. For us to continue to do this for this many years is amazing,” Meza says. “Some come and go, but we’ve been going strong as a team.”

It’s hard to find a regular time for police officers to work out, but they manage to hold monthly trainings and have a coach and a personal program to follow on their own. “The energy and motivation is always high when we get together,” Polo notes. “The comeraderie and conversations among us are great. We also strive to be the best to make ourselves, our city and our department look good and feel proud.”

The team has earned the admiration of their peers and beyond. “We try to bridge gaps in the community by hosting open meets here in Fort Worth where civilians and other powerlifters can see officers being just like them,” Meza notes. “We’re not any different than others, and the public doesn’t always see us like that.”

By Del Moon