Eff. Date: 10-1-99

S.O.P Number: 2.06

Title: Physical Fitness Program

Issuing Authority: L.E. Nippins, III, PSD/CLEO Eval. Date:11-30-03

Accreditation 22 Compensation, Benefits, and Conditions of Work

Accreditation Standards: 22.3.1, 22.3.2

Revision Date Page Numbers Sections Approved

SUBJECT: Physical Fitness Program 2.06 (5 pgs)

I. Purpose

The purpose of this General Order is to establish a program whereby members of the department may maintain good physical condition that will allow them to handle the strenuous physical activity often required in the performance of police duties.

II. Policy

It will be the policy of the department to require members to meet a high standard of physical fitness. To this end the department will provide training, facilities, testing, and regular medical examinations by which these standards may be met. The overall goal being the complete physical, mental, and medical wellness of every member.

III. Procedure

A. FitForce fit for Duty Program

1. This program has been adopted by the department as a means to educate officers in the methods of leading a healthy lifestyle that includes physical fitness, nutrition, stress relief, and the avoidance of substance abuse.

a. Each member will be provided with a FitForce Fit For Duty handbook and access to an instructor for guidance in participating in the program.

B. Facilities

1. In cooperation with Burlington Township Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #84, the department will provide space for a gym and assist in the purchase

1 of 2.06 and maintenance of exercise equipment for the gym. All requests for equipment are to be forwarded to the Director of Public Safety/Chief Law Enforcement Officer (PSD/CLEO) for consideration. Use of the gym will be restricted to members of the department unless special permission is granted by the PSD/CLEO.

a. No one will use any equipment in the gym until receiving training in its use and purpose from the department’s physical fitness instructor. The instructor will also be responsible for inspecting the equipment for any condition that may cause them to be inoperable or create a risk of physical injury to the user. All such conditions are to be reported to the Technical Services Commander, by memo, via the chain of command. b. On-duty personnel may, at the discretion of the duty supervisor, use the gym or other approved facility for a maximum of one hour. At no time is the on-duty use of any of the facilities to be considered guaranteed.  The duty supervisor will be held strictly accountable for use of available manpower.

2. Other facilities authorized for use by members of the department are the Burlington Township High School Track and the Assicunk Creek Green Acres Park jogging and walking paths.

3. Members of the department will be covered by workmen’s compensation while using the facilities identified herein provided they have properly signed the gym logbook. Officers who use these facilities without signing the logbook and are injured may not be covered. The physical fitness instructor will be responsible for maintaining the logbook.

a. Officers who use facilities other than those listed will not be covered unless they have received written authorization from the PSD/CLEO. b. Members should insure that the PSD/CLEO’s authorization also provides for workmen’s compensation benefits in the event of injury.

C. Fitness Indicator Test (FIT)

1. Every member of the department, regardless of age, must pass FITs. The FIT is designed to serve as a means by which the fitness levels of members of the department may be evaluated. The FIT events are designed so those members in fair physical condition may, with reasonable effort, attain passing scores. Workload and manpower permitting, FIT’s will be done on a semi-annual basis.

2. Prior to testing every member will be measured for height, weight, blood pressure, pulse, and body fat percentage. The physical fitness instructor may at that time, or at any time during the test, prohibit any member from further participation if the instructor feels further participation may be hazardous to the member’s health.

a. An EMT certified officer will be present during the conducting of every FIT.

2 of 2.06 3. FIT events will consist of;

a. 1.5 mile run/walk  Bicycle Ergometer may be used as an alternative event b. One minute of crunch style sit-ups c. One minute of push-ups d. Sit and Reach

4. Each event will be scored based on the member’s age group. Performance objectives will be graduated in such a manner as to have assigned point values within each age group. Point values will range from 3 to 5 points.

a. Description of each event and assigned point values are included as an attachment to this SOP.

5. Members will be required to participate in all events. The final score will be computed by adding the total number of points for each event. Members must accumulate a minimum of 15 points overall and must obtain a minimum score of three points in each event to pass the FIT.

a. Any member who does not attain a passing score will be provided access to remedial training. They will be scheduled to take the FIT again within 60 days. If they fail again to attain a passing score, this process will be repeated. Failure to attain a passing score on this third attempt may subject the member to department disciplinary action or an evaluation for fitness for duty. b. Members who achieve a perfect score (20 points) in their age group will be awarded three hours of administrative leave time.

6. Special law enforcement officers, Class I and II, are not required to participate, but are strongly encouraged to do so if possible.

D. Sustaining Injury/Illness During Use

1. Anytime a member sustains an injury or becomes ill during the authorized use of the gym or other approved exercise facility, or during the FIT, the injury or illness is to be reported as described below. Failure to do so could adversely affect compensation or benefits regarding the injury or illness.

a. The member is to immediately report the injury/illness to the duty supervisor verbally. A written report detailing the circumstances surrounding the injury/illness is to be completed and submitted to the supervisor prior to the member leaving the building unless the member is physically unable to do so in which case the report is to be completed as soon as the condition permits.  If during the FIT, the verbal report is to be made to the instructor administering the test who will then be responsible for immediately

3 of 2.06 notifying the duty supervisor. The instructor will also be responsible for completing and submitting a written report to the supervisor detailing the circumstances surrounding the injury/illness prior to securing.  The member will still be required to complete and submit a written report as described above. b. If the duty supervisor determines it necessary, or if requested by the member, arrangements are to be made for the member to receive medical attention. An EMT may be directed to assess or treat the injury/illness if appropriate.  If during the FIT, the instructor or assigned EMT may determine the need for treatment, but the duty supervisor is to be notified immediately if such treatment is required. The supervisor should not overrule a determination that treatment is required but may direct that treatment be administered even if the instructor and EMT do not feel it necessary. It will always be the responsibility of the supervisor to see that arrangements for appropriate treatment are made. All requests by a member for treatment of an injury/illness will be honored.  If an injury/illness requires emergency treatment or occurs during non-business hours the duty supervisor will make arrangements to have the member treated at Rancocas Hospital. If the injury/illness does not require emergency treatment or occurs during normal business hours the duty supervisor will contact police administration to have arrangements made for treatment. c. The duty supervisor will immediately notify the Operations Commander of any such injury/illness and cause a CAD entry to be generated. The supervisor will investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury/illness and will, prior to securing, submit a written report to the Operations Commander. Included with the supervisor’s report will be;  A copy of the CAD entry,  the injured member’s report,  the FIT instructor’s report if applicable,  the EMT’s report if applicable,  reports from other witnesses/members if applicable  copies of any department, emergency squad, hospital, or other facility incident or treatment report, and  Burlington Township “Employee Incident or Vehicle Accident Form”. Some of these reports may not be immediately available to the supervisor however, at a minimum the supervisor must submit his initial report and the “Employee Incident or Vehicle Accident Form” prior to securing. d. The Operations Commander will be responsible for notifying the appropriate division commander and the PSD/CLEO. E. Annual Medical Examination

1. The department will provide, at no expense to the member, a complete medical examination in an effort to identify any medical problem which may

4 of 2.06 exempt a member from participating in any part of the physical fitness program or FIT. The examination will include at a minimum the following:

a. basic physical examination b. urinalysis c. blood work-up d. chest x-ray e. EKG  Required for all members over age 40 Other examinations may be conducted such as eye examinations, hearing tests, respiratory tests, etc.

2. A physician, retained by the township, will conduct the examinations. Members may go to an alternate physician with the permission of the PSD/CLEO but will be responsible for any fees charged. Members will be provided with the results of all tests and examinations conducted.

a. Members may also have the results forwarded to their personal physicians.

F. Medical Exemptions

1. Members may be excused from participating in any FIT event(s) upon presentation of a letter from a duly licensed medical doctor indicating that the member cannot participate due to a current medical condition. The letter must be presented to the Field Support Services Sergeant within 15 days of the scheduling of the FIT. The letter must specifically identify those events from which the member is to be excused.

a. The letter is also to indicate an estimated date as to when the officer will be able to participate.

- End -

Attachments: Fitness Indicator Test

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