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Recently, New Hampshire police chiefs came together to make a plea to lawmakers as departments continue to be plagued by staffing shortages statewide. The chiefs, including Hinsdale Police Chief Charles Rataj, told the House Criminal Justice and Public Safety Committee that the required fitness test is making it difficult for departments to hire and retain officers. As a result, they’ve proposed a bill that would eliminate the test for law enforcement officers.
In this episode of Policing Matters, host Jim Dudley speaks with Traci Tauferner, Director of Industrial Medicine and Wellness with Advanced Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine who has worked with law enforcement, fire, and EMS agencies since 2010, about the request made by the New Hampshire chiefs and the importance of maintaining officer physical fitness.
Top quotes from this episode
Fitness testing, especially in that early academy phase, is really important for us to make sure we are getting officers who are physically able to do the essential functions of the job.”
I always look at a police officer like an outfielder in baseball. You are waiting and you are waiting and then boom! Here comes that ball and you have to do things with it.”
As the military transitions its testing to something that is more functional and job-specific, I think that is the direction that maybe agencies and academies should consider.”
Additional resources on this topic
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N.H. police chiefs ask lawmakers to drop required fitness test
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Implementing a program to reduce and manage police officer injuries
About our guest
Traci Tauferner, Director of Industrial Medicine and Wellness with Advanced Physical Therapy & Sports Medicine, has worked with law enforcement, fire and EMS agencies since 2010.
She holds a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training and Strength & Conditioning from the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh. She is passionate about trauma and is additionally certified in trauma-informed weightlifting, peer support and crisis intervention. She provides agencies with a proactive approach to wellness and injury prevention. She is also a veteran of the Wisconsin Army National Guard.
Connect with Traci Tauferner
About our sponsor
This episode of the Policing Matters Podcast is brought to you by Lexipol, the experts in policy, training, wellness support and grants assistance for first responders and government leaders. To learn more, visit lexipol.com.
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