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In this episode of the Wellness Brief, Emily Hitchings and Greg Friese discuss this Police1 Chief’s Corner article, “Why leaders should let cops lift on the clock.”
Officers, who are given equipment, time, encouragement and policy support to work out during shifts, are more physically ready for the demands of policing, have better mental health and morale. Fitness is also critical to injury prevention. Support for on-duty fitness pays dividends across an agency.
Unfortunately, not all law enforcement officers have access to in-station exercise equipment. Hitchings cited Police1’s What Cops Want survey showing that “over 30% of agencies provide gyms, but don’t allow people to work out on duty, and another 25% don’t have a single gym.” That policy gap matters, Hitchings said, because “There are a lot of agencies, Greg, that shy away from allowing people to work out on duty.”
Just as important, leaders who model healthy behaviors help build trust, connection and a culture of wellness that strengthens both individual officers and the organization as a whole.
READ| Blueprint for police fitness
“Police administrators or command staff who prioritize their own physical health, actually modeling that and encouraging others to do it, had far superior, healthier agencies.”
About The Brief: Wellness Edition
The Brief: Wellness Edition video series explores the wellness implications of current events for public safety professionals. Each episode brings a timely conversation that connects unfolding events to the day-to-day realities of first responders.Why leaders should support on-duty workouts to boost officer strength, health, and morale.
Long Description: Supporting on-duty fitness is a leadership decision that pays dividends across an agency. When officers are given time and encouragement to work out during shifts, it improves physical readiness, mental health, morale, and injury prevention. Just as important, leaders who model healthy behaviors help build trust, connection, and a culture of wellness that strengthens both individual officers and the organization as a whole.
