Police Division Fitness and Wellness Program

About the Program

Category: Personnel Management, Employment and Training (Best in Category)

Year: 2014

In January 2012, the Henrico County Police Division began its Fitness and Wellness program to promote and encourage physical fitness, along with general wellness, among police officers. The program is a partnership between the Police Division and Department of Human Resources’ Fitness and Wellness and Employee Health Services Divisions. The program started with baseline fitness testing of all sworn police officers to evaluate the physical capabilities of the agency. After testing, officers were given permission to utilize up to four hours of their weekly tour of duty for physical training. The Human Resources’ Fitness and Wellness staff continued to offer their resources of group exercise classes, fitness training, and nutrition counseling. Programming specific to the needs of our officers was created by the formation of a CrossFit Law Enforcement Affiliate, called HCPD CrossFit. Finally, we increased the frequency of physical examinations by our Employee Health Services staff in order to provide greater feedback on our officers’ health. All of these different elements have combined to bring attention to physical fitness and the crucial role it plays in the safety of our police officers.