NCJ Number
137599
Journal
Law Enforcement Bulletin Volume: 61 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1992) Pages: 6-11
Date Published
1992
Length
6 pages
Annotation
Well developed health promotion and physical fitness programs in police agencies can increase the effectiveness and personal security of police officers, can enhance morale, and can lead to reduced overall health care costs.
Abstract
Agency administrators who decide to develop such a program should start by convincing elected officials, budget appropriators, police officers, and civilian employees of the program's desirability. Ideally, the program should have four components: health promotion, medical screening, exercise, and fitness assessment. They can use the results of testing only to assist employees to assess their own fitness and health or to set mandatory standards. Mandatory standards should be imposed only after practical and legal scrutiny, because they are the most likely to face legal challenges.