Battling for organizations

Lewisville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association to host 16th annual Battle of the Badges

The+first+rivalry+game+of+the+day+for+Battle+of+the+Badges+in+2017.+Courtesy+of+Heather+Slaten.

The first rivalry game of the day for Battle of the Badges in 2017. Courtesy of Heather Slaten.

Police and fire departments across North Texas will travel to compete in Battle of the Badges, a softball tournament hosted by the Lewisville Citizen Police Academy Alumni Association (LCPAAA).

“This event begins with a ‘friendly’ game between the Lewisville Fire Department and the Lewisville Police Department,” police manager Casey Carter said. “There is a trophy that [is awarded to the winners] from this very important first game. After the Lewisville rivalry game, the tournament is a bracket filled with police and fire department teams [in the area] who are all seeking to earn top honors while having some fun and raising some money for a good cause.”

The event will take place this Saturday, Nov. 17 at Lone Star Toyota of Lewisville Railroad Park and will be free to the public. The first match between the City of Lewisville’s Fire Department and Police Department will begin at 7:30 a.m. There will be concession stands available at the venue but guests may also bring their own food.

“We’re always open to anyone in the community whose team is playing and want to come out and support their police or fire department,” LCPAAA membership committee member Carolyn Goodwin said.

Battle of the Badges will donate portions what is earned to Children’s Advocacy Center for Denton County (CACDC) to help fund their programs and services.

“The Children’s Advocacy Center provides a child-friendly, safe and neutral location in which law enforcement and Child Protective Services investigators may conduct and observe forensic interviews with children who are alleged victims of crimes, and [is the location] where the child and non-offending family members receive support,” Carter said.

For 16 years, Battle of the Badges has raised money for the LCPAAA and CACDC. The LCPAAA is a group of citizens who have completed the Citizen’s Police Academy course which meets every Thursday night from 7 to 10 p.m.

“We’ve taken over the event completely and this will help us fund all of the projects we wanted to do for next year for the Lewisville Police Department,” LCPAAA President Heather Slaten said. “For instance, the Christmas party we [host] for them or any projects they might need [or anything] officers [may] need.”

They will have activities for children of the families to be able to play during the softball games. The goal is to reach $10,000 by the end of the day.

“There are often corporate sponsors from area and the LCPAA sells T-shirts and sometimes hosts silent auctions to raise additional funds,” Carter said. “It is always a fun event.”