Competitive Events

The 911 Call Taking event simulates the high-stress environment of emergency telecommunications. Competitors will handle a high-priority law enforcement call, gathering crucial information and maintaining call taker composure while multitasking.

The Active Threat Response event immerses competitors in a high-stakes scenario built on the ALERRT model, the national standard for active-shooter response. Participants respond to a simulated active threat — such as shots already fired — making rapid decisions to stop the killing and, once the threat is down, stop the dying by rendering casualty care and moving the injured to safety.

The Anthropology event challenges competitors to identify bones and estimate the victim's height. Participants will then match their findings to a list of missing persons, aiming to solve a simulated forensic puzzle.

The Bloodstain Pattern Analysis event tasks competitors with deciphering the origin of a simulated bloodstain. Participants will employ calculations and stringing techniques to determine direction, area of convergence, and angle of impact.

The Building Search event tasks competitors with securing a building with an open door. Participants will coordinate their actions to safely enter, search, and secure the premises, making critical decisions along the way.

The Cell Extraction event simulates a correctional facility scenario where an inmate has refused to comply. Competitors will activate a cell extraction team and execute procedures to safely extract the inmate.

The Closing Argument event challenges participants to review a criminal case and deliver a compelling closing argument. Competitors will take on the role of either the Prosecuting or Defense Attorney, articulating their case to a simulated courtroom.

In the Crash Investigation event, competitors find themselves in a simulated environment designed to emulate a real-world Crash Investigation. Participants will engage in dynamic roleplay, and mimic the intricacies of a real crash investigation. They interact with individuals involved in a vehicle crash and any eye witnesses in a controlled environment, adhering to the standard protocols and procedures of law enforcement officers.

The Crime Scene Investigation event challenges competitors to secure, process, and document a simulated crime scene. Participants will identify and collect evidence, adhering to forensic guidelines.

In the Disturbance Call event, competitors respond to a simulated disturbance scenario. Participants will engage in de-escalation techniques, conduct interviews, and assess the situation to determine the appropriate course of action.

Participants will navigate a structured NIST Open Lane course. The NIST Level 1 course is a standardized drone-pilot skills test that challenges students to complete precise takeoff, navigation, and camera-based tasks used in real law-enforcement missions. This course provides a safe, controlled way for high school competitors to demonstrate foundational flight skills, follow safety procedures, and be scored on consistent, repeatable performance.

The Drone Competition Event challenges teams to demonstrate proficiency in precision drone operations and Search & Rescue (SAR) tactics. The Search and Rescue Drone Event is designed to provide students with a structured, law-enforcement–based application of drone technology for locating missing persons and assessing emergency situations. This event emphasizes professionalism, accurate decision-making, and safe drone operation within realistic search-and-rescue scenarios.

In the DWI Traffic Stop event, competitors find themselves in a simulated environment designed to emulate a real-world DWI stop. Participants will engage in dynamic roleplay, conducting specific field sobriety tests—Horizontal Gaze Nystagmus (HGN), Walk and Turn, and One Leg Stand—on a violator.

The Fire House Design event challenges competitors to conceptualize and present a modern fire facility. Participants will showcase their designs through 3D models and tri-fold poster boards, articulating their vision to a panel of judges.

The Correctional Institute Design event challenges competitors to conceptualize and present a modern correctional facility. Participants will showcase their designs through 3D models and tri-fold poster boards, articulating their vision to a panel of judges.

The Police Station Design event challenges competitors to conceptualize and present a modern police facility. Participants will showcase their designs through 3D models and tri-fold poster boards, articulating their vision to a panel of judges.

In the Felony Traffic Stop event, competitors are placed in a high-risk traffic stop scenario commonly linked to felony offenses. Utilizing patrol vehicles, participants will coordinate tasks such as issuing verbal commands, safely extracting, and detaining suspects. The goal is to safely detain simulated suspects while maintaining situational awareness and effective communication.

In the Fiber Analysis event, competitors will analyze a fiber sample to determine if the fiber is natural or synthetic based on microscopic and chemical analysis. They will justify their choice, in a written conclusion, based on their identified characteristics.

The Fingerprint Collection and Analysis event tests competitors' skills in locating and lifting fingerprints. Participants will then engage in comparative analysis to match the lifted print to known samples.

The First Responder event places competitors in a simulated emergency scene. Participants will assess the situation, administer first aid, and demonstrate CPR/AED skills in a scenario designed to test their medical response acumen.

The Inmate Processing event simulates the intake procedures within a correctional facility. Competitors will engage in activities such as fingerprinting, searching, inventorying property, and completing necessary documentation.

The Job Exhibit event encourages competitors to research various roles within TPSA's specific career clusters. Competitors will research salary and benefits, education and training requirements, natural abilities and required skills, availability of jobs, opportunities for advancement and any additional benefits or perks that would attract potential applicants. Participants will present their findings through a tri-fold visual display, offering insights into job requirements, salary, and advancement opportunities. Participants can choose any career cluster, however, chapters are limited to 5 entries across all clusters. This is one event which will be judged together across all career clusters.

The Opening Statement event challenges participants to review a criminal case and articulate a compelling opening statement. Competitors will assume the role of either the Prosecuting or Defense Attorney in a simulated courtroom.

The Parliamentary Procedure event immerses competitors in a simulated business meeting environment. Participants will engage in discussions on undisclosed topics, navigating through an agenda while adhering to parliamentary rules and motions.

The Press Conference event casts competitors as Public Information Officers for a fire department. Participants will prepare and deliver a press release, addressing a simulated audience in a press conference setting.

The Press Conference event casts competitors as Public Information Officers for a police department. Participants will prepare and deliver a press release, addressing a simulated audience in a press conference setting.

Competitors will create a 30 to 60-second video PSA focused on a law enforcement safety theme, demonstrating accurate public safety information, creativity, and effective messaging.

Competitors will create a 30 to 60-second video PSA focused on a fire safety theme, demonstrating accurate public safety information, creativity, and effective messaging.

The Qualifying an Expert Witness event places competitors in a courtroom setting. Participants will review a potential expert witness's resume and credentials, aiming to qualify them as an expert through questioning.

Competitors will create a 45- to 90-second recruitment video focused on a career in corrections, demonstrating an accurate portrayal of the profession, creativity, and effective messaging.

The Report Writing event challenges competitors to craft a detailed and accurate police report. Participants will base their reports on a simulated law enforcement scenario, focusing on clarity and conciseness.

The Search and Rescue event simulates a two-stage fire rescue scenario. Competitors will don fire bunker gear and navigate through a zero-visibility area to rescue a simulated victim.

The Fire Skill Challenge is a demanding assessment of a Competitor’s physical capabilities and firefighting skills. Participants will complete four sequential challenges—dragging a fire hose over a set distance, transporting heavy fire equipment, simulating forcible entry with a sledgehammer, and performing a victim rescue by dragging a mannequin. Once the course begins, the event does not stop. Competitors must advance through each challenge in one continuous effort without pausing, resting, or breaking rhythm until the final task is complete. The course is designed to test strength, endurance, and technique under sustained physical exertion, reflecting the nonstop demands of real-world firefighting.

The Law Enforcement Suspect Apprehension event simulates the adrenaline-pumping dynamics of a foot pursuit. Competitors will initiate radio communication, navigate physical obstacles like wall climbs and low crawls, and complete fitness challenges such as step-ups and push-ups. The course culminates in suspect apprehension and handcuffing.

The Traffic Stop event is a competitive simulation that places participants in a real-world scenario of handling a misdemeanor traffic violation. Utilizing a patrol vehicle, competitors engage in a dynamic roleplay where they mimic the intricacies of a real traffic stop. They interact with a violator vehicle in a controlled environment, adhering to the standard protocols and procedures of law enforcement officer.