Tuesday 080401

Workout
"Fran"
21-15- and 9 reps, for time of:
95M/65F pound Thruster
Pull-ups

Post time to comments.

As many of you know I was born and raised in Chicago. That and the fact that I have an uncle that is a Chicago Police Officer drew my attention to a story I saw last night on WGN.

The new Chicago Superintendent wants mandatory (I did not know they were not before now) fitness test for officers, one that could also take into account body fat, not only how much a cop weighs.

Supt. Jody Weis wants more of this officers running and lifting weights and fewer out-of-shape cops losing the battle of the bulge. "If everyone could know the number one goal here ensure that members are healthy," said police spokesperson Monique Bond. It's an admission that more needs to be done to encourage -- or demand -- officers stay in shape. Right now, cops get a $250 bonus if they pass a yearly -- and voluntary -- physical fitness exam. Last year, of Chicago's 13,000 Police Officers, only 3,800 signed up for the test - 2,400 passed (less than 20%), 1,300 signed up but were no shows at test time and 100 failed.

The police union opposes mandating a physical fitness regime, and argues consideration must be given for the stress and irregular hours of the job. "It's a personal decision we hope everyone would make favorable for themselves and for their families, but because of the type of job we have, it's very difficult to work something like this into a daily regimen," said Mark Donahue, president of the Fraternal Order of Police. I love it that he says they are too busy to be fit! "Having done this job myself, it is one of the most stressful occupations that you actually be in," Donahue added. "How many people at 3 o'clock in the morning are going to required to go from zero to 100 in a split second?" Isn't that the reason to be fit?

The union is open higher cash incentives, but not mandatory exams. Physical fitness is a personal priority of Supt. Weis. "We need to develop a mind-set that taking care of yourself, being fit, being nutritionally sound, being as healthy as you can be is what you need to be a police officer,'' said Weis, who is a body builder and is married to a trainer. The Illinois State Police, who are also in a union, have a mandatory test. They are required to take a yearly exam that includes timed sit-ups, bench pressing, a 1.5-mile run and flexibility tests.

Illinois State Police Merit Board Physical Fitness Standards
Test
Male
Age:----------------20-29 - 30-39 - 40-49 - 50-59
Sit & Reach -------16.5in.--15.5in. --14.3in.--13.3in.
Per Minute Sit-up-38------35------29-------24
Max Bench Press--.99-----.88------.80------.71
(% of BWT)
1.5 Mile Run-------12:51---13:36---14:29---15:26