For Immediate Release June 29, 2023
OPD NEWS:
OPD Officer Wins Gold Medal in US Police & Fire Championships
Oakland Police Officer David Garcia won the gold medal in the men’s Brazilian Jiu-jitsu competition at the 2023 United States Police & Fire Olympic Championships (USPFC) in San Diego, CA. From June 10th through June 17th, 2,600 athletes took part in the Olympic-style nationwide competition for first responders and public safety personnel. The athletes competed in 38 different sports, including baseball, water polo, and CrossFit.
In 2016, Officer Garcia joined the Oakland Police Department (OPD) and is currently assigned to Area 4 Patrol. He studied the art of Jiu-jitsu as well as grappling and wrestling in high school and college. Officer Garcia is a two-time champion in the sport, winning his first gold medal from the USPFC in 2022. Not only is he undefeated, but no opponent has scored a point against him at the annual event.
The USPFC is sponsored by the California Police Athletic Foundation (CPAF). The annual games draw thousands of athletes from not only first responders but also any eligible agency or organization in the capacity of 911 dispatchers, detention-custodial officers, crime scene investigators, and lifeguards.
If you are interested in participating in next year’s games, please click on the link for more information: 2023 US Police & Fire Championships in San Diego – Global Fire Events
CONGRATULATIONS, Officer Garcia, and thank you for your exceptional representation of the Oakland Police Department!!!