JACKSON -- It is a skill of repetition.

And some of the men and women competing at the Michigan Police Pistol Match in Jackson on Wednesday have just about perfected it -- the art of patience, practice and a smooth hand.

"Patience and a steady hand are what you need." said Lt. Frank Medrano with the Lansing Police Department.

Some 200 officers from 36 different departments from across the state gathered for the 73rd annual shoot-off.

And while they say it's all healthy competition, there is no doubt ego and bragging rights inolved here, as well.

"There's a lot of competition, lots of trash-talking," said Fremont Police Chief Phil Duer with a wry smile. "This is not a place for women and children; it's a tough venue."

But this is more than just a game. These officers say what they're doing out here could eventually be the difference between life and death.

"If we have to fire our guns on the job, we wanna makey sure we hit what we want to hit, and nothing else," said Robert Lang, also with the Muskegon DOC.

This is also the rare occasion when the state's authorities can meet -- which, if the competition doesn't get too feisty, will allow them to work together going forward.

"We come together to get the job done," said Det. Sgt. Steve Harshberger with the state police. "We want to make sure the bad guys go to jail, and everyone else gets home safe."

Local Results:

-Lansing Police Department's Jason Spoelma won the Class A competition.

-Jackson's Matt Peters took first place, Class B.

-JPD as a team also took first place, Class B.

-Adrian's Jason Blickensdorf won the Class C competition.