NewsLocal News

Actions

The Inaugural First Responders' Game impact off the court

BPD officers face off Bakersfield Magic in the Inaugural First Responders Game
Posted
and last updated

It's a game with an impact beyond the court.

Aaron Watkin is a detective with the Bakersfield police department. He and other BPD officers traded their badges and uniforms for a jersey and a basketball Saturday night.

The inaugural First Responders’ Basketball game against the Bakersfield Magic was not his first time on the court. The first responder of ten years grew up playing basketball, and he regularly shoots hoops with fellow people in law enforcement.

“On our lunch breaks, we’ll go work out, play some basketball, and then go back to work,” Watkin said. “It’s way for us to get together and deal with the stress of being a police officer in today’s society.”

Basketball and sports in general have a way of bringing people together, according to Watkin. The spectators in the crowd saw a different side of law enforcement Saturday night.

“Yeah they’re human, just like us,” Bakersfield Magic center Marcus Beil. “I don’t see them any different. They’re trying to protect us. Now they’re trying to have fun with us. I’m with it.”

Eyes are on the newest Bakersfield sports team as they gear up for the start of their season in March, but that was not the focus of Saturday's game, according to The Basketball League commissioner Carlnel Wiley.

“They’re (law enforcement) actually the ones on stage tonight. Let’s be real. It’s fabulous. They need the love too. They’ve done so much hard work out there in giving and sacrificing their lives, then coming home to their families. They’re incredible,” Wiley said.

,

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

Monday

07/14/2025

Clear

-° / 76°

0%

Tuesday

07/15/2025

Clear

105° / 71°

0%

Wednesday

07/16/2025

Clear

98° / 69°

0%

Thursday

07/17/2025

Clear

98° / 72°

1%

Friday

07/18/2025

Clear

99° / 73°

1%

Saturday

07/19/2025

Clear

101° / 73°

0%

Sunday

07/20/2025

Clear

101° / 72°

0%

Monday

07/21/2025

Clear

100° / 69°

0%