Wellness/Fitness Program

In January 1999 the Long Beach Police Department implemented the voluntary Wellness/fitness Program. The primary focus of the Wellness/Fitness Program is to stimulate officers' awareness of their general health and physical fitness. Levels of achievement are scored in order to provide incentives accordingly. The voluntary program was instituted with the hope that the financial awards would motivate officers to participate in the program and strive to improve their health and fitness while reducing injuries and use of sick time. The program is constructed in two phases with all results remaining confidential.

The wellness phase requires the officer to complete an annual physical examination by a physician. Each officer must submit a written form from their doctor indicating their resting heart rate, blood pressure reading, and cholesterol. The Department uses a biometric impedance machine for measuring an officer's body fat composition.

The physical fitness phase consists of five events designed to assess the officers' fitness level. The five events include:

1. Bench press - measures upper body strength
2. Sit and Reach - measures hamstring and low back flexibility
3. Sit ups - measures abdominal muscular endurance
4. Push ups - measures muscular endurance of the upper body
5. 1½ mile run - measures cardio respiratory fitness

The Wellness/Fitness Program is designed to address all aspects of physical fitness. Benefits of regular physical exercise include:

• Strengthened cardiovascular system (heart and blood systems)
• Improved strength and muscle endurance
• Improved posture and self image
• Improved flexibility (reduced lower back problems)
• Decreased risk for chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, stroke, high blood pressure, lung disease, etc.
• Tension and stress relief

Several guidelines were established including:

• The maximum award that can be earned per employee
• An annual budget for the program
• Surplus funds in the Wellness/Fitness budget are used to purchase equipment to support the program
• Re-evaluation of the program for appropriate adjustments

Several new improvements to the program that have increased participation include:

• A renewed emphasis on POST's "Lifetime Fitness" is being taught at the Academy. Many of our new recruits are already calling for advice on training to fit their new shifts and have already participated in the Wellness Program.
• The financial incentives have been increased.
• The “DOC Squad”, a group of our reserve police officers who are doctors, performed medical exams for the wellness phase of the program at no expense to participating officers.

The surplus funds in the Wellness/Fitness budget have been used to purchase gym equipment for our various division gyms. This has been a great success with many officers canceling their personal gym memberships to workout at our high quality gyms and thus, building camaraderie.

The Wellness/Fitness Program hosts several competitions, to provide fitness goals throughout the year.

1. Bench press
2. Pull-ups
3. 3-mile run

Awards are presented for each of the three events. If an officer competes in all three events, they are eligible for the "Triple Crown" award.

Sergi Bike Ride - This is an annual organized ride for Department members, family and friends.

A Few Success Stories:

1. A 48 year-old officer, who had never worked out his entire life, took the first wellness test and had a body fat level of 29.1% (high cholesterol and low strength and cardio). After a progressive two-year program, he is now at 17% body fat and able to run with his high school daughter for cross-country training.
   
2. This is a story involving a 37 year-old officer who was into power lifting and had an unusual diet. He drank a gallon of whole milk everyday and went home to BBQ a steak every night after work at 9:00 PM; all this was to get his mass up, as he was bench-pressing 425 lbs. and weighed 230 lbs. He took the wellness test and was shocked that he was almost 19% body fat and his cholesterol was very elevated. He had no idea that his diet was damaging his body. He changed his diet and took up cycling and running. He’s now at 185 lbs., his cholesterol is under 200, and his body fat is at 12%. Although his bench press is now down to 400 lbs, he feels much better and is a more well-rounded, healthier officer.
   
3. Two years ago, the Long Beach Police Department’s Baker to Vegas Team began utilizing the Wellness/Fitness Program to identify, recruit, and train the Department’s runners. This has resulted in an improvement from our Department’s best previous placing of 13th to 8th place the first year and second place at the 2002 event.

Most people report that they feel better when they exercise regularly. Participating in the Long Beach Police Department's Wellness/Fitness Program provides incentive for officers that can produce positive long-term results leading to a healthier, happier and longer life. It is a worthy investment for our officers, their families, and the Long Beach Police Department.

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