(Nacogdoches,Tx) The Nacogdoches Police Department offers a structured, voluntary fitness program to its officers and employees.
If there was only one goal for this program, it would be to have healthy retirees that enjoy an active lifestyle and a high level of functional fitness. All too often in law enforcement, and probably many other occupations, we see our co-workers retire with serious PREVENTABLE health issues. These health issues result in a poor quality of life, and in many cases a less than average quantity of life.
There are also too many cases of early disability and medical retirement in our profession. The big three leading causes are:
• Cardiovascular Disease
• Back and Orthopedic Issues
• Psychological Problems
Why do we see higher rates of preventable disease in law enforcement? The job today really requires very little physical activity. When physical activity is required, it is usually short bursts of intense physical activity such as a foot pursuit or violent confrontation. Shift officers work irregular hours and have unpredictable meal schedules that often result in poor nutrition. The stress level is also high in our occupation. We are constantly dealing with people that are upset, facing unknown dangers, and dealing with everyone else’s problems.
So how do we as an agency address these problems and start taking better care of our most valuable resource, our employees?
The answer that the Nacogdoches Police Department came up with was to create an environment and policy that not only promoted fitness and wellness, but took down a lot of the barriers that keep people from pursuing a healthy lifestyle.
Physical fitness is the biggest and most visible part of our program, but there are a lot of things that help to build and promote a healthy environment. We worked with our vending machine companies to make healthy choices more attractive at the point of purchase.
The healthy food choices are highlighted in our machines and offered at a reduced price from the less healthy options.
Instead of being priced higher than the carbonated drinks, bottled water was reduced to 50 cents. Yes, it actually costs NPD a few cents more than that, but we feel that it is a wise investment in the health of our employees. We also provide employees with a TopHealth health promotion and wellness monthly newsletter.
We have just recently begun a lunch-and-learn program to help educate our officers and staff about important health issues. Our first guest speaker was local cardiologist Dr. Laura Fernandes who did an excellent presentation on heart health.
In December 2010, NPD employees along with members of the Nacogdoches Professional Firefighter’s Association were offered an excellent group membership rate by the owners of the Court Club fitness center. Many employees are taking advantage of this opportunity and are appreciative of the Court Club’s efforts to improve the health and fitness of local public safety workers.
NPD Lt. Tim Goerner and Sgt. Keith Hawkins working out at SFA
The physical fitness portion of our program is the area where results are most visible, and most valuable.
We use a 5 – step program that consists of:
1. Medical Screening – all participants must receive clearance to engage in physical activity by their health care provider. Our employee insurance covers the cost of preventive care except for a $30.00 co-pay. The department reimburses the employee for the co-pay upon completion of their first physical assessment. This step alone plays a vital role in our employee’s health by encouraging annual check-ups and monitoring risk factors for preventable disease.
2. Fitness Assessment – all participants are given a standard physical assessment by a trained program coordinator. Several methods of testing are available depending on an individual’s specific needs or preferences. This testing gives the participant a fitness baseline for cardiovascular, upper body and abdominal fitness. Future assessments are done every four months.
3. Goal Setting – the first goals are usually set by the program coordinator, after that the participant helps decide what areas and activities they want to focus on.
4. Exercise Prescription – This is where the program coordinator advises the participant on how to safely get where they want to be by recommending a safe and effective exercise routine.
5. Adherence – The hardest part for all! This is not a 90 day program to get fit quickly; it is a change in lifestyle. The program coordinator works to keep participants engaged in their fitness activities and to come up with options that keep things interesting.
Our program began in May of 2008. Enrollment is open to both sworn and non-sworn employees of the Nacogdoches Police Department and now averages 31 participants which is just over 40% of eligible employees. Improvements in overall fitness level of 30%-40% are common in the first year to year and a half.
NPD allows participants some on-duty time for physical activity. Sworn officers can get up to 3 hours a week, non-sworn get 45 minutes per week. The on-duty time available is dependent on staffing and call load for the officers and it is rare that they would be able to get more than an hour or two in a week. When they do get time, officers often spend it in public areas such as the LaNana Creek Trail, city streets and sidewalks and city parks.
The NPD Program Coordinator is Assistant Chief Mike Kelly. Chief Kelly is certified by the Cooper Institute of Dallas, Texas as a Master Fitness Specialist and Law Enforcement Fitness Specialist.
“I would like to see all our employees retire with a high level of functional fitness and good health. To me, functional fitness is the ability to perform daily tasks that involve physical movement, lifting, squatting, standing, reaching, bending, pushing, pulling, multi joint movements with a full range of motion”, Chief Kelly said. “The training intensity may vary greatly, but the need to execute these movements efficiently is the same for a 25 year old male officer that may have to fight for his life, and an 80 year old great grandmother that just wants to continue to live independently.”
