The origin of the International Law Enforcement Games can be traced back to Duke Nyeus in California. He, and other law enforcement officers in the United States, started the Olympics. Today, it is a national sporting competition of immense proportions.

In 1971, the events were formally titled the "National Law Enforcement Games" and the competition was held in Phoenix, Arizona, USA. In 1972, the activities of the "National Law Enforcement Games" included competitors from around the world taking place in San Francisco, California, USA. Since that time, the Games have been scheduled for every other year. These Games provide a splendid opportunity for world-class competition among law enforcement officers, while offering the competitors a chance to get to know their global colleagues better.

Since 1988, the organization of the International Law Enforcement Games has been exerting efforts to schedule the Games locations outside the United States every four years (every other Games).

The number of participants and the variety of events has increase every year. In 1971, there were approximately one hundred participants and 15 events. By the 2000 Games the competitor count has grown to nearly 5,600 and held over 40 different Olympic-style sporting events. The location of the Games plays a big roll in determining which events to offer. Host cities are welcome to add two new competitive events to the Games.

Today, the organization of the International Law Enforcement Games is governed by a board of directors comprised of law enforcement officers from several countries. This board holds its annual meeting every February.

Dates and locations of prior International Law Enforcement Games are listed below: