Program Targets Fitness Levels Among Police Officers

Annually, thousands of law enforcement officers are injured, even die, in the line of duty.

While some of those are related to gunfire or attacks by assailants, a growing number are traced to fitness shortcomings or the high-stress environment of the job. The third-highest cause of death among law enforcement officers over the past decade was job- related illness, according to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund.

Some believe programs such as the National LawFit Challenge that started Thursday can help curb some of those health issues.

The National LawFit Challenge is in it's 17th year of operation. Police departments from across the country travel to Southaven and compete in a series of exercises, including a bench press, running, weightlifting, and the largest challenge, the suspect pursuit. The pursuit is an obstacle course which simulates chasing a suspect.

David Bever, a George Mason University retired health education professor, believes job-related injuries occur because law enforcement officers are inconsistent with their workouts and strain their bodies chasingsuspects.

"If you don't have any aerobic capacity, you are not gonna be able to handle that suspect once you catch them," said Bever, who created the program.

Through his research, Bever noted after officers complete the their respective training academies, most do not continue training because it's not required.

"The cheapest insurance policy out there is to stay fit," Bever said.

What started as a regional effortin Virginia expanded to a national program in Southaven. Originally, Bever worked with the local fire department to increase officers' muscular strength and endurance, flexibility and breathing efficiency.

He said the program worked exceptionally and the local police chief recruited Bever to help decrease job-related illnesses and improve physical fitness among police departments in the area.

"The only time you get law enforcement officers together in one place over a period of a day or three days is for something sad," national LawFit coordinator Thomas Tuggle said, referring to funerals. "This is an opportunity for us to get together for something positive."

Tuggle organized this year's event. Within the competition, Mississippi teams have consistently excelled in law enforcement officer fitness, he said.

When Southaven police patrol officer Fred Sims heard about LawFit seven years ago, he traveled to Virginia alone to compete. He's participated annually and encouraged colleagues to compete.

"I compete because it's fun, and I love it," Sims said. "It's what I am, I'm LawFit."

Sims incorporates physical fitness into his daily life. He said it's important for him as an officer to stay in shape.

"If you're not in shape, you can't catch these criminals, and they might get away. You don't want them to get away," he said.

Sims provides safety to those around him. In his 13 years as an officer, Sims said he's taken down suspects and helped citizens along with fellow officers.

Sims said police officers are not just doughnut-eaters. They are athletes. Participating in an event such as LawFit helps shift the stereotype and provide insight as to what being an officer means.

The program continues through Saturday at the Landers Center with 150 participants vying for individual and team awards. The public is invited to watch the competition.

"It's cool to see especially for kids," Sims said. "Some kids grow up to be police officers, and that's cool for them to watch."

Sims said police officers are not just doughnut-eaters. They are athletes. Participating in an event such as LawFit helps shift the stereotype and provide insight as to what being an officer means.

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