Police and paramedics work together every day to help the community, but on Sunday proved they were just as skilled helping those in need while competing against one another in the pool.
Five ambos and four coppers faced off in the YMCA Victoria Point swimming pool on Sunday to raise money for children with disabilities.
They were among 100 swimmers to dive headfirst into the challenge of helping fund specialist swimming programs for the children at the organisation's annual Swim-A-Thon.
The emergency services rivalry was intense but friendly and, although the paramedics came out on top, both groups helped to raise more than $8500 for the local program.
Local Paralympic silver medalist Daniel Fox also showed his support for the program on the day.
YMCA Victoria Point centre manager Tamara Price said the money would go towards the Austswim program, which caters for children with disabilities.
She said everyone had fun on the day, especially in the gruelling relay between the police and paramedics.
"We're hoping to get firefighters into it next year and make it an annual competition," she said.
Officer-in-charge of Cleveland Police Station Senior Sergeant Janelle Harm said the swim-a-thon was a great opportunity to help raise funds in the community.
"It is great to see that our staff, who are also part of the community, bond together in a common cause."
