The Relevance of Law Enforcement Fitness Standards to Officer Safety and Wellness
摘要
This chapter highlights the importance of physical fitness to the policing profession. While this may seem to be an intuitively obvious notion when considering the job tasks and requirements of the law enforcement field, there is a lack of attention on personal fitness as an officer progresses through their career. Further, fitness is often simply equated with strength, agility, and the ability to run but seldom considers a holistic attitude toward officer health and welfare. Common physical fitness requirements among agencies at entry into the profession will be discussed. The role of fitness in agencies throughout the career and lifespan of the officer will be further analyzed. In addition, an evaluation of a renowned fitness organization that trains law enforcement officers in proper fitness standards will be conducted. The importance of maintaining fitness in later life both for job performance, job stress, and enjoyment of their retirement years will be discussed. Recommendations for improving officer health and wellness will additionally be provided.