At the morning of the 20^th September 2019, the opening ceremony took place in the competition hall. Around 100 athletes from 17 member countries competing at this event for the single, double, mix double matches as well the team competition.

At the Opening Ceremony, Secretary of the State in the Ministry of the Interior, Mr. Michal Bagačka, and the President of UNITOP Slovakia, Stanislav Zatorsky, welcomed the participants on behalf of the organizer, followed by USPE Vice-President, Dr. Josef Haupt, who officially opened the 8^th USPE European Police Championships Table Tennis.

After the Opening Ceremony the first matches started in the team competition, which will have the finals on Saturday, 21^st September 2019.

Dirk Weninger
USPE Technical Delegate

On June 20th, 2019, successful and eventful European Police Championships Shooting ended with a festive closing event in the ballroom of the Ringberghotel in Suhl. Following the recent award ceremonies, special awards from the organizer and the Union Sportive des Polices d'Europe (USPE), and honoring outstanding achievements in the field of shooting with the highest recognition of the USPE, the "Medal of Honor", the Secretary General, Mr. Andreas Röhner, declared the 17th European Police Championships Shooting officially closed.

It all started three years ago, when the German Police Sports Board decided to host the said championships. The Shooting Sports Center in Suhl offers, as one of the most popular facilities in the world, the best training and competition conditions for shooters. For this reason, the German Police Sports Board placed the trusting task of hosting such a demanding EPC in the hands of the Thuringian Police.

First, Police Director Andreas Röhner took over the project management, then handed it over after his election as the USPE Secretary General to the head of the educational institutions of the Thuringian Police, Police Director Heike Langguth. Together with her highly motivated and dedicated organization team, she realized outstanding European Police Championships.

All athletes, attendants and delegates were able to witness exciting and fair competitions, in which they met colleagues across national borders beyond their sporting achievements, developed understanding for each other and made friends. It was exactly these experiences that made the event an unforgettable experience for all present.

A special thank goes to the German Police Sports Board under the leadership of Mr. Ralf Flohr; the Free State of Thuringia and especially the Education Center of the Thuringian Police; the entire organizing team of the EPC Shooting; the USPE Technical Delegate for the sport shooting, Mr. Jörg Hirschberger; all participating referees under the leadership of Mr. David Goodfellow; the Lord Mayor of Suhl, Mr. André Knapp; the Ringberghotel and the Shooting Sports Center.

A big thank you also goes to Mr. Jan Poulsen (Denmark), Mr. Børge Bladsgaard Jensen (Denmark), Mr. Leif Birger Bø (Norway) and Phil Smith (United Kingdom), who were honored for their great commitment in the shooting sport with the “USPE Medal of Honor”, as well as to the sporty fair and comradely delegations from the member countries of the USPE.

On Tuesday, June 18^th, 2019, the draw for the Final Round of the 4^th USPE European Police Championships Volleyball Women took place within the 17^th USPE European Police Championships Shooting 2019 in Suhl/Germany. In the presence of the Secretary General, the General Treasurer, the Technical Delegate for the sport of Volleyball and representatives of the participating member countries of the Union Sportive des Polices d’Europe, the lot decided the group classification of the eight finalists. From October 7^th to October 14^th, 2019 these eight teams will fight for the title “USPE European Police Champion in Women's Volleyball 2019” in Prague/Czech Republic.

The German Police Sport Federation (DPSK) organized the preliminary round group D from 11th – 14th June 2019 in Hannover, Germany, between the guests from Norway and France and the hosts team from Germany.
The German team is well known and feared by other teams for their high level and they let no doubt about which team that shall go to Prague later this year.
The German team won both matches 3 : 0 and the team is as winner of group D qualified for the final round.
The match between Norway and France was more close. Norway won 1st set, but the French team showed big fight and won the next three set.
All matches was held in a very friendly atmosphere and even though all teams cannot participate in the final round this year we hope to see all teams for the next EPC Volley for Women.

Thank you to DPSK for a very well organized preliminary round. The organizing team is very experienced in organizing events like this and everything was carried out in a very high and professional level.

The detailed results are available on the USPE homepage in the category “Volleyball”.

Ole K. Jacobsen
Technical delegate

Photos: Hauke Schilling

Police Sport UK have been entrusted to organise the preliminary Group C of the qualification for the Final Round of the USPE EPC Volleyball Women 2019.
From 10th - 13th June 2019 the teams of Hungary, Finland and United Kingdom have been invited to Stirling to play their matches.
Unfortunately Finland had to cancel their participation due to professional reasons, so only Hungary and United Kingdom had to match for winning the group and qualifying for the Final Round.
Hungary has won this match 3:0 and has been qualified as the winner of the group. United Kingdom as second has to wait the other results to qualify as one of the best two second.
Police Sport UK has been very hospitable and organised this event in a professional way and standard.

Dirk Weninger
Member of the USPE Technical Commission

The 1^st USPE Cup in Obstacle Course Running took place in Amsterdam, Netherlands from the 22^st – 24^th May 2019, was hosted by NPSB (Nederlandse Politie Sportbond). 64 Athletes from 9 Countries participated in the USPE Cup. The participating countries were: Netherlands (Host), Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Hungary, and Switzerland. In total there were 47 Men & 17 Women on the start list.

In the Men’s Team Event, all 9 countries had the minimum required number of 3 Men to count towards scoring in the team results. In the Women’s Team Event, 5 countries had the minimum required number of 2 Women to count towards scoring in the team results. These countries were: Czech Republic, Denmark, Germany, Hungary, Netherlands.

The race was something new to the USPE Calendar and because of this it would be exciting to see how it would fit within the ethos of Police Sports. The course was 10km in length and it was a two loop (5km) course with 60 obstacles (30 obstacles repeated twice on the two loops). The men’s race started at 10:00 am and the women’s race started at 10:05 am. Both races were very exciting to watch. In both races the athletes started together when the gun was fired and sprinted about 200-300m toward the first obstacle which was a high wooden frame about 15 metres in height. For all the athletes, it was a case of getting to the obstacle first and pulling yourself up a rope and going over the top and back down. With this obstacle completed the fastest, most agile and strongest would be in a position to lead out the race from the beginning. In both the men’s and women’s race a small group headed off together leaving the chasing pack. From this point, spectators could see the dynamic of what was to unfold for the various standards of athletes from each country. The major rule which was in each athletes head was in relation to the wristband they were wearing… The rule stated that if you failed to complete an obstacle, the wristband would be removed from your wrist and this would incur a ‘1 hour time penalty’. It was obvious through the effort of every athlete that this would seriously affect their own result, but more crucially the result of the team. It was at Obstacle No.1 that something very special was witnessed – “Great teamwork by many countries”. The fastest and strongest had departed Obstacle No.1 but those that remained needed the help of their fellow team mates by the assistance of hand to foot when the strength to lift their own body weight up and over the high rope and frame had become too much. This start to this exciting race immediately summed up everything we strive for in the spirit of USPE and in our Police duties…. Team-work, tactics, strength, endurance. ….. On each team you could see the athletes immediately reassess the race that was now unfolding at this difficult first obstacle. Some teams let their strongest athletes go ahead but for those of similar ability – they decided to partner up and leave no man/woman behind. They decided that the team would only be as strong as their last person. This was fantastic to see.

In the men’s race Hrdina Pavel, (Czech Republic), Thomas Buyle (Belgium) and Gerrit te Grotenhuis (Netherlands) closed in on the half way point close enough together. Some athletes were stronger runners and some were stronger climbers. This made for exciting viewing because when one athlete pulled away or closer on the running, another athlete would do the same while climbing or tackling the obstacle. Thomas Buyle (Belgium) took a decisive lead right on halfway from Hrdina Pavel (Czech Republic).

In the women’s race Sandra van den Brink (Netherlands) was looking very strong at 5km and she had a good lead from Kristyna Hurkova (Czech Republic). Going into the 2nd half of the race she was looking like the favourite to win, but with 30 obstacles to go, it would be interesting to see if she could withstand the fatigue that was showing on many athletes.

Back in the men’s race, Thomas Buyle (Belgium) was strong throughout the next 30 obstacles and although he had more than 1 minute to spare over Pavel (Czech Rep.) in 2nd place, there was one final obstacle which would be new to every athlete; and which could decide their fate, if they were not strong enough to finish the race out.

‘The High Wall followed by the sequence of hanging ropes’ waited for athletes at the very end. Here you would need to scale the wall and then make it from rope to rope (8 ropes in all) supporting your body weight with tired arms in order to make it the finish line and ring the bell. If you fail and touch the ground, you must return to the start of the obstacle again and try with even more muscle fatigue in your arms! By which point any lead you had could fizzle away, and you could be overtaken if the athlete behind was stronger! There was no failing for Buyle (Belgium). He looked strong and his superb athleticism, endurance and strength took him to the end of the obstacle. With a roar he landed, two feet on the ground and rang the finish line bell. A superb end to a superb race. Pavel (Czech Rep.) and te Grotenhuis (Netherlands) finished strongly to claim 2nd and 3rd place. Although the winner of the men’s race came from Belgium, Belgium would not figure in the team prizes. Some excellent team work by Switzerland would decide the team title. They remained together throughout the race, helping and supporting each other throughout. And it was this tactic that made them the narrow winners by just under 50 seconds from the Netherlands in 2nd place and the Czech Republic in 3rd.

In the women’s race van den Brink (Netherlands) was unopposed approaching the end of the 10km and she took on the last obstacle in commanding fashion. With a huge smile she sprung off the obstacle with both arms in the air and ran towards the race bell to sound victory for the women’s individual title. Hurkova (Czech Rep.) was 3 mins 53 secs behind in 2nd, and making up the Dutch team winning time, in 3rd place, was Wendy Knigge (Netherlands). It was a great day for the Netherlands in the women’s race, where they took Gold and Bronze individually and also Gold in the Women’s team event. The Czech Republic took the Silver medal in the women’s teams, and Hungarian team were the Bronze medal winners.

It could be said that new event of OCR, arguably contains much of the traits required for regular front line policing. In daily policing we face many obstacles. The Police athletes tackling the Obstacle Course in Amsterdam displayed all of these traits: Teamwork, Speed, Co-ordination, Endurance and Strength, both mental and physical. As spectators looked on as the final athletes attempted the final obstacle, it was heartening to see their determination to finish at all costs, and to see their own Police colleagues assisting them to the finish line. But the most satisfying thing of the day was to see Police athletes from other countries, against who they had just competed against, shouting and willing them on to the end. This new sport had bonded the entire field of athletes together in a way that would make USPE proud.

It was a great competition, a definitely a fitting Police Sport event.

Ian Redican (Technical Delegate Marathon/Cross Country)

From 17^th to 20^th May 2019 the Belgium Police Sports Federation (Belgische Politiesportbond – Fédération Sportive de la Police Belge; BPSB) organized the Preliminary Round of Group A for the USPE European Police Championships Volleyball Women 2019.

The Netherlands, Slovakia and Belgium sent their teams to participate in these qualifiers.

After three exciting matches, the team from the Netherlands was the winner of this group and qualified for the Final Round which will take place from 7^th to 14^th October 2019 in Prague.

The two best second-placed teams out of the four Preliminary Rounds also qualify for the Final Round. Therefore the Belgian team also keeps the possibility to participate in this event. The Slovakian team that played at a similar level as the other teams finished third.

The detailed results are available to download in the category “Volleyball”.

The USPE thanks the Belgium Police Sports Federation for organizing this Preliminary Round on a very high and professional level.

Dirk Weninger (Technical Delegate Volleyball)

From 9^th to 13^th May 2019, the 15^th European Police Championships Judo took place in Györ/Hungary.

159 athletes from 16 nations have found their way to Hungary's EPC Judo and were welcomed with a solemn ceremony at the Olympia Arena in Györ on 10^th May 2019.

After exciting fights in the individual disciplines, the team competitions were held on Sunday, 12^th May 2019 for the first time in the history of the European Police Championships Judo.

Finally Germany won with Russia and France coming in second and third, which also reflected the ranking in the medal table of the nations. The overjoyed Romanian team secured itself the second bronze medal.

The European Police Championships were then ended solemnly. The flag of the USPE was passed from Hungary to Germany, to be hoisted again in June in Suhl at the 17^th European Police Championships Shooting.

For their outstanding achievements in Judo sport, Mr. Christopher Hunt from the United Kingdom and Mr. Johannes Daxbacher from Germany were awarded with the "Medal of Honor" by the President and the Secretary General of the USPE at the final event in Györ.

Special thanks go to the Hungarian Police Sport Federation, headed by Dr. Peter Varga, for the excellently organized championships.

But also the competent referees as well as the sporty fair teams of the participating countries, who have made the championships an experience full of positive memories, should be praised at this point.

USPE Office

From 05^th to 07^th April the first Meeting of the USPE Executive Committee in 2019 took place in Oslo/Norway. The USPE President, Mr. Luc Smeyers, thank the members of the board for the constructive and future-oriented meeting.

From 28^th to 30^th March the first Meeting of the USPE Technical Commission in 2019 took place in Reykjavik/Iceland.

The numerous agenda items were dealt with and discussed in a concentrated manner. All members seek for a close and result-oriented cooperation in the future for the further development of European police sport.

At this historic conference on January 30th, 2019 at the V. BPA (V. Department of the Riot Police) in Königsbrunn / Bavaria, the USPE Secretary General Andreas Röhner and the Chairman of the DPSK, Ralf Flohr, both of them new to the office since 2019, met the Vice President of the European Judo Union (EJU), Jane Bridge. This continental exchange “Police and Judo” was also attended by Karl-Heinz Hofmann, manager of DPSK, and Stefanie Radenovic from the USPE office, as well as by DPSK Coordinator for Judo, Johannes Daxbacher who was in charge of organizing.

Markus Ferber, member of the European Parliament, who unfortunately was unable to attend but sent a letter saying that he considers “Judo apart from its physical and athletic benefits, especially in the technical field, a great gain for the police being more and more confronted with aggressive citizens and increasing violence”. For him, the values of Judo, such as respect and mutual appreciation, are an important factor besides the techniques of Judo.

Appreciating this special occasion, the first mayor of Königsbrunn, Franz Feigl, invited the delegation to sign the golden book of his city.

Jane Bridge, Judo World Champion of 1980, was delighted by the experience made at the very first Mixed Team World Championships for Police Judo, which took place at the DPM Judo 2018 for the first time. Here, the DPSK is the pioneer and could report the good experience to the USPE first hand; they also introduced this challenging team combat for the coming European Police Championships.

Finally, DPSK Coordinator Johannes Daxbacher summarized his long-time international experience concerning the topic of the conference. “We as German police officers are highly regarded all over the world. Judo is not only an Olympic sport but also a great way of conflict management for police officers.”

Am 24. Januar fand in der Vertretung des Freistaats Thüringen beim Bund in Berlin die offizielle Übergabe des Generalsekretariats der USPE von Berlin nach Meiningen in Thüringen statt. Unter Anwesenheit von Herrn Ministerialdirigenten Michael Schulze (Thüringen), Herrn Senatsdirigenten Klaus Zuch (Berlin) und des Präsidenten der USPE, Luc Smeyers, übergab Fred Kusserow an Andreas Röhner den Staffelstab. Mit seinem Team Stefanie Radenovic und Wolfram Müller wird nunmehr der europäische Polizeisport in Thüringen administriert.