Metro Police Drill & Ceremony Team Judged Best in the Nation for Second Straight Year
For the second time in as many entries, the Metropolitan Police Department’s Drill & Ceremony Team this afternoon was judged the best in the nation at the seventh annual Honor Guard Competition in Washington, D.C.
The event, which is sponsored by the Grand Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, involved 16 drill teams from across the United States and Canada. The teams gathered today at John Marshall Plaza on Pennsylvania Avenue to demonstrate their precision in three tasks, the team inspection drill, posting of the colors, and exhibition. The Nashville Police Department’s cumulative score was the best. The United States Customs & Border Protection Agency placed second. Orlando (Florida) Police placed third.
“Our Drill and Ceremony Team is the best because of the dedication, hard work and pride of each member,” Chief Ronal Serpas said. “The team’s representation of our great city and its police department on a national stage today was absolutely outstanding. Both times they have entered this competition, they have been judged number one."
"It is particularly fitting that our team showcased its precision and skill in Washington during National Police Week, the time each year that our nation pays tribute to the ultimate sacrifice made by officers who died in service to their communities,” Serpas said.
Metro Police Drill & Ceremony Team members are all volunteers. Members participating in today’s competition were Sergeants Chris West and Chris Warner, and Officers James Boone, Ryan Catron, Bryan Doersam, Chad High, and Warren Fleak. Drill Team members assisting in support roles were Lieutenants Ben Rodgers and Grant Carroll, and Officer Leonard Keeler.
The Metropolitan Police Department’s Drill & Ceremony Team was also judged best in the nation in 2007. The team did not compete nationally last year.
Members of the Metropolitan Police Department's National Champion Drill & Ceremony Team were photographed following today's competition in Washington, D.C. Pictured on the front row (l-r) are Sergeant Chris Warner, Officer Bryan Doersam, Officer Warren Fleak, Officer Chad High, Officer Ryan Catron, Sergeant Chris West, and Officer James Boone. Pictured on the back row (l-r) are Lieutenant Ben Rodgers, Officer Leonard Keeler, and Lieutenant Grant Carroll.