NCJ Number
251531
Date Published
January 2018
Length
20 pages
Annotation
This paper instructs police administrators in the rationale for and considerations in developing a fitness program for agency officers.
Abstract
The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) and the U.S. Justice Department's Bureau of Justice Assistance's study entitled "Reducing Officer Injuries" have found that physically fit officers are less prone to injury and illness and miss less time on the job. Along with proper nutrition and other wellness programs, law- enforcement agency fitness programs keep officers healthy and safe. This paper begins with a checklist that outlines the considerations and action steps recommended for starting and maintaining an agency-wide fitness program. The checklist is followed by a discussion of program design and standards, which focuses on fitness exercise program essentials and health-contingent wellness programs. A section then discusses legal considerations, which pertain to workplace legislation and liability. Guidance on assembling the fitness program team and determining the resources needed addresses the external and internal stakeholders who should be involved in planning the fitness program. A section on the employee engagement plan provides guidance on leadership, communication, and participatory incentives. Other sections of this paper consider program data collection and management, employee risk assessment, and annual fitness evaluation. IACP online resources for officer safety and wellness are listed and briefly described.