Lakeway police chief: Fitness a critical component of policing
The Lakeway Police Department works hard every day to live up to our vision of unsurpassed safety and service. Understanding that, we know that above all we exist for one primary mission: to safeguard the people who live, work and visit our wonderful city.
We take this responsibility seriously. Physical fitness standards are just one of the ways we ensure we are doing this to the best of our ability. For police officers, the essential job functions requiring high levels of physical exertion may be infrequent, but the consequences of nonperformance can be severe. Physical fitness is a bona fide occupational qualification, and I will spend some time illustrating why in three parts:
It is recognized within tactical law enforcement that high fitness levels are necessary. The National Tactical Officers Association's quarterly newsletter routinely posts fitness-related articles, and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement guidelines for the Basic SWAT Course has a minimum fitness standard that must be passed. At LPD, we believe if it is necessary for SWAT officers to be at a certain fitness level, then that fitness level is necessary for all police officers, because lives depend on it. In the post-Columbine era, and especially following the tragic school shooting in Uvalde, every officer is expected to be capable in responding to active aggression scenarios.
How an officer presents themselves in public can influence the actions of others. A study almost 40 years ago found that some police officers look so physically vulnerable that criminals are inspired or tempted to physically challenge them, or at a minimum they do not deter crime by their presence (Lester, Leitner & Posner, 1984). Police leadership and trainers recognize that “officer presence” is the first and best level of force an officer can employ, and it often will be all that is needed to gain control of a situation. Fitness level has a strong connection to “officer presence,” through both outward appearance and the officer’s self-confidence.
Year over year, a leading cause of death for police officers is coronary heart disease (J. Sheinberg, 2020). Dr. Sheinberg states that most fatal heart attacks are not even counted as line-of-duty deaths because the attacks occur outside of duty hours. For example, if an officer is engaged in activity that causes the body to release adrenaline, such as a foot chase, the adrenaline surge that occurs does not dissipate the minute the shift ends but instead persists within the body for hours. In fact, officer heart attacks frequently occur many hours after that initial adrenaline dump. When viewed through a 24-hour window, death from heart attack is the number one killer of police officers each year. The American Heart Association recommends that adults get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity each week. The Mayo Clinic states simply that exercise delivers oxygen and nutrients to your tissues and helps your cardiovascular system work more efficiently (Mayo, 2019).
The Lakeway Police Department has a wellness policy, which among other things incentivizes physical fitness. Officers are required to take triannual fitness assessments on a rowing machine, using national standards. Passing requires officers to meet at least the 60th percentile. Those failing to meet that standard are put on a training plan to work toward meeting it. Achieving 70% or higher yields a financial incentive, and 80% or higher a fitness award.
I recently included telecommunicators in this incentivized program, recognizing them as first responders and a key component of our team. Though participation is not mandatory for them, should they volunteer to test and they row a 70% or higher, they will receive the financial incentive.
Additionally, all LPD personnel are authorized to work out for up to one hour per day while on duty. This is made possible because the department has a workout facility within the police station, complete with free weights, cardio equipment and padded mats. There are plans in place to further enhance the wellness program in the department to include an overhaul and upgrade of the workout equipment.
Your Police Department team is committed to providing you the safety and service you deserve, and I hope this article helps demonstrate that. As always, if you have any questions, comments, or suggestions for us, please do not hesitate to contact us through our website, on the phone, or flag us down when you see us out and about in the community.
Glen Koen is the police chief for the city of Lakeway.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Lakeway police Chief Koen: Fitness a critical component of policing
