Chicago Police Department Supt. Jody Weis is a wellness, fitness and exercise advocate for his members.
“It is essential that recruits begin the academy with a minimum level of physical fitness to ensure safe and successful participation in training,” according to a statement of the Chicago Police Department released Friday, March 13, 2009.
Under the State of Illinois POWER test (Peace Officer Wellness Evaluation Report), a man in his 20’s must do a minimum of 37 sit-ups in a minute and run 1.5 miles in 13:46. A woman in her 20’s is required to do 31 sit-ups and run the same distance in 16:21. The test also includes a bench press and a sit-and-reach (flexibility) evaluation.
|
Male
|
Female
|
|||
| TEST |
21-29
|
30-35
|
21-29
|
30-35
|
| 1. Sit and Reach |
16.0
|
15.0
|
18.8
|
17.8
|
| 2. One-Minute Sit-Up |
37
|
34
|
31
|
24
|
| 3. Maximum Bench Press Ratio (ratio of weight pushed divided by body weight) |
0.98
|
0.87
|
0.58
|
0.52
|
| 4. 1.5 Mile Run |
13.46
|
14.31
|
16.21
|
16.52
|
Several recruits typically fail in each class. New recruits are given the option of resigning or getting in shape for the next class. The POWER test is videotaped for legal documentation.
The City of Chicago is pushing for mandatory fitness tests for veteran officers. Failing officers would be assigned a trainer and be recommended special diets. Details and resolution are part of ongoing contract negotiations with the police union.
Currently, veteran officers may volunteer to take the POWER test and get a $250 award if they pass. There’s no remedial action if they flunk.
Some companies offer wellness incentives. Employers pay for the employees to have wellness testing done. (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, liver function and kidney function to name a few.) If the employees results are in normal range, the incentive is extra money in their Health Savings Account. The incentive to the employer is lower health care cost. Healthy employees save employers money.