Every single one of us knows that it is important to be fit in this line of duty. But we also know that it is so easy to get tied up in paperwork, or traffic stops, or get complacent, or lets face it.... we just get lazy.
I live 30 minutes away from work, I don’t get to take my patrol car home, I work a 12 1/2 hour shift, and I have a newborn with another on the way. My department does not have a policy that lets us work out on duty, so when do you find the time? If I work out after my tour of duty then I do not get to see my son before he goes to bed. And if I work out before duty I lose precious sleep that I need.
What do I do?
I suck it up because I know that remaining fit in this line of work is not something that I SHOULD do. It’s something that I HAVE TO DO. I go to bed early, not long after my son does, and then I get up early and exercise before my shift.
Try it. It really makes you feel incredible all day long. Plus it wakes up and prepares your muscles and body for the day to come. You never know when you’re going to get into a chase, or a fight, or have to pull an unconscious person from a wreck. You also never know when the stress of it all is going to wear on your heart, especially if you’re not taking care of it. I’m not saying that you have to be the fastest or the strongest person in the world. But you do need to be prepared for every curve ball that you can in this career field. And Lord knows that there are A LOT of curve balls in this game.
This doesn’t only go for road officers. This is just as vital to the guys who sit behind a desk or in a court room all day as well. No matter the position, rank, duty, or responsibility of the officer.... you are still an officer. You are morally and mentally on a different level than all of the people around you, and you should be physically better too.
It’s time to act like it. It’s time to actually do it. Make yourself better. Increase your health. Extend your life. Embarrass your opponents. Impress your friends and family. Improve yourself.
What bad can come from it?