NCJ Number
124492
Journal
Journal of Police Science and Administration Volume: 17 Issue: 2 Dated: (June 1990) Pages: 89-94
Date Published
1990
Length
5 pages
Annotation
Heart disease has been identified as the leading cause of death or retirement among police officers.
Abstract
This study examines a 100 percent sample of officers from the St. Petersburg, Florida Police Department, who received medical examinations which were repeated every two years. These examinations were part of a physical fitness program developed by the department's Research and Development Section. The results showed that when the average total cholesterol levels were compared to the general population standards, all of the age groups were found to have low coronary risk. The age group which achieved the greatest deviation from risk were those persons 40-49 years of age. The St. Petersburg police officers were found to be at very low risk levels, and their risk levels were found to have been significantly reduced over the past five years. This is likely the results of the efforts made by the department of make its officers aware of the steps they can take to reduce their risk of heart disease, to make them aware in such a fashion that is entirely personal and virtually impossible to ignore, and providing a means to control/reduce their risk. The results suggest that other law enforcement agencies would be well advised to implement similar programs. 2 tables, 14 references.