Police physical fitness programs significantly enhance officer safety and resilience, improve agency efficiency and effectiveness, and positively impact the community. Research shows that physical fitness improves job performance, safety awareness and response, and survivability in high-stress situations, while also supporting mental health, reducing stress and lowering agency costs through decreased absenteeism and fewer health care claims.

Organizational wellness involves the agency not only encouraging officers to improve physical fitness, but also proactively creating opportunities for them to experience agency support, training and information on fitness practices, as well as incentives for officers to maintain optimal physical health.

Benefits for officers

Fitness programs build strength, endurance and stamina for officers. They reduce the risk of injury, decrease stress and anxiety, and improve sleep. They also increase mental alertness, enhance problem-solving skills and improve emotional stability and resilience. Fitness programs contribute to longer, healthier careers by lowering the risk of chronic illness, heart disease and cardiac events.

Benefits for the agency

Research shows that physical fitness programs lead to fewer sick days, lower absenteeism, reduced workers’ compensation claims and decreased health care expenses. A more resilient workforce also increases productivity and efficiency, allowing a greater number of officers to operate at peak potential.

Components of a physical fitness program

Agencies should first consider the risks and benefits of an agency physical fitness program that involves testing and how it is administered. If one mandates all officers to participate, that could result in workers’ compensation claims, even off duty, for officers working out for an upcoming fitness performance evaluation.

A voluntary program removes that risk but may result in fewer officers participating. My agency, the La Mesa, California, Police Department, has had much success and participation with a voluntary fitness program for the past 20 years, which is described in detail in this article.

Exposing officers to the greatest variety of fitness practices casts the largest net to encourage the most officers to creatively experience fitness strategies that resonate with them and to help keep them motivated to remain in their practice. Consider bringing community fitness experts to the agency to provide an orientation or training on their particular exercise methods. This could include yoga, CrossFit, Pilates or any other exercise. Pilates’ main focus is on strengthening one’s core, which is especially important for officers carrying upward of 30 pounds of equipment on their body, and will help reduce the risk of back injuries. Consider hosting workouts at the police station to get more people involved.

There are several police physical fitness apps that offer tailored training, test prep and general wellness for officers, with options such as the official FBI Physical Fitness Test app for benchmarks, Police Fit for customized workouts and broader tools like Darebee or Nike Training Club for free, accessible routines. Other apps, such as FitForce and Fitbod for Police, provide instructor-designed programs, nutritional guidance and sometimes even department-wide tracking for a holistic approach to job-related fitness.

Incentivize physical fitness as much as possible by offering benefits for officers who maintain a high level of fitness. This can be done through an increased monthly stipend, earned comp time off or any other creative benefit. Offering reduced gym membership fees will also tend to be cost-effective overall.

Optimal physical fitness is critical for officer survival, wellness and peak performance.

La Mesa’s voluntary physical fitness program

Participation and testing are voluntary, with quarterly tests administered voluntarily by police department proctors. Testing is open to all sworn and non-sworn agency employees. Paid time off (comp time) is awarded to employees at their regular rate of pay based on the testing guidelines and performance. Participants sign a release acknowledging that their participation is voluntary and that they are not eligible for pay during the participation time.

The testing assessment consists of seven measurements: resting heart rate, resting blood pressure, body composition, flexibility, sit-ups, push-ups and a 1.5-mile run/walk. Participants earn one to five points in each measurement based on their sex, age and performance. Based on their overall score, participants can earn anywhere from one to 10 hours of comp time. (Search fitness benchmarks for current age- and sex-specific fitness performance standards and recommendations.)

Conclusion

Optimal physical fitness is critical for officer survival, wellness and peak performance. The more an agency can be proactive in supporting, encouraging, requiring and incentivizing physical excellence, the healthier and more capable both the officer and the agency will be in providing effective public safety.