By Chinta Puxley
Canadian Press
WINNIPEG, Canada — Winnipeg’s police chief says he would rather have his police officers on the streets fighting crime than in the gym being paid to pump iron.
Police say paid workout time is becoming an issue across Canada as they increasingly face criminals coming out of jail bulked up and trained in mixed martial arts.
But Chief Keith McCaskill said paying officers to spend time in the gym would mean up to one-quarter fewer units out in the city, which has one of the highest crime rates in the country.
''We want to be physically fit and we encourage that, but our main job as police officers is to be able to provide the services necessary for the citizens we serve,’' McCaskill said Wednesday.
''That means getting our officers out on the streets as much as we possibly can to be able to answer those calls.’'
It’s an issue that will likely be discussed in upcoming contract negotiations with the Winnipeg Police Association, he said.
Police forces in Calgary and Victoria - which operate on 12-hour shifts - get time during their workday for physical fitness. Other cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, say officers tend to exercise during their lunch break.
The RCMP collective agreement allows for one hour per week for physical fitness, but that time has to be made up either by coming in a bit early or leaving a bit late.
Charles Momy, president of the Canadian Police Association, said police put their bodies under a considerable amount of stress and need to be in shape.
''You are going from sitting in a police car to within potentially a second having your blood pressure go up significantly,’' said Momy, adding that officers wear seven kilograms of equipment around their waist at all times.
''That’s going to take a toll on a person’s body. You need an individual who is in pretty good shape.’'
Police who are in shape are more likely to be productive and less likely to require sick leave, added Momy, who is an Ottawa police officer.
In most police departments there is an ''unwritten understanding’’ that officers are encouraged to spend their paid lunch-hour in the gym, he said.
But Mike Sutherland, president of the Winnipeg Police Association, said his members need it in writing. With one of the highest crime rates in the country, he said Winnipeg streets are tough and need strong officers.
Winnipeg officers have to pass a physical fitness test, but only about two-thirds are passing. Some 300 others are exempt, he said.
''More and more the gang members are working out in the gym, getting bigger, stronger, faster,’' said Sutherland, adding that the popularity of mixed martial arts among gang members is making the job even more dangerous.
''We have well-known gang members that are training at martial arts gyms throughout the city on an almost-daily basis. When you’re fighting back, you hope you are fit and up to the task, especially if you’re fighting someone who has spent a lot of time working out while they were in custody.’'
Officers who are in good shape don’t have to resort to using a weapon as much, he said. Paying officers to work out might seem costly in the short-term, but it will also save cash down the road with fewer injuries and long-term sick leave.
''Pay now or pay later,’' Sutherland said. ''I think we can do it. I think it’s manageable.’'
McCaskill said he agrees that the streets are more dangerous for today’s cops and there is less respect for police.
But he still isn’t convinced officers need paid gym time during their shifts.
''Most of our officers realize the need to stay fit.’'
Copyright 2010 Canadian Press