The National Rifle Association's National Police Shooting Championships (NPSC) run from Sept. 20-24 at the Shooting Range Park in Albuquerque, N.M., the group has announced.

More than 400 officers from federal, state, municipal and private agencies, as well as four foreign countries, are expected to compete in this year's tournament.

"The National Police Shooting Championship is a gathering of the finest law enforcement shooters from around the world," said Ron Schmeits, the NRA's president. "There is no better place for these everyday heroes to test their skills than right here in New Mexico."

Competitors start with guns holstered and fire timed matches with both revolvers and semi-automatic pistols from varying distances and positions. The aggregate scores from the revolver and semi-automatic pistol matches are used to crown a national champion. This year's competition should prove to be especially spirited as defending champion Robert Vadasz, a senior agent with the U.S. Border Patrol, faces the return of Mississippi Highway Patrol Captain Philip Hemphill, a nine-time champ.

First held in 1962, the National Police Shooting Championship is just one of many programs directed by NRA's Law Enforcement Activities Division. These programs are supported by the Davidson's Law Enforcement Endowment and the Law Enforcement Training Endowment of the NRA Foundation, which includes a $251,000 donation from Brownells Inc. and more than 100 other firearm-related businesses.

For more information about NPSC or to register for the competition, visit the competition website; call (703) 267-1629; or e-mail lead@nrahq.org.