The Virgin Islands Police Department was dealt a harsh blow on June 13, 2006 when Lieutenant Gregory Bennerson and Corporal Sheila Middleton both succumbed to sudden illness. Last week, our hearts heavy with grief, we laid our police brother and sister to rest. The Police Department and the Virgin Islands community have lost two dedicated heroes. May they rest in peace.

The sudden and tragic loss of these vibrant individuals, reminds us all of the frailty of human life and of our personal challenges to be responsible for our own health and wellness.

It is difficult to turn on the news without hearing negative reports about the impact a sedentary lifestyle is having on America. It would seem that as a nation, we have lost our get up and go and our health is suffering. A variety of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure and cancer, have been directly linked to physical inactivity. Poor nutrition and stress also affect our health.

For many years, the issue of physical fitness has been a lightning rod for debate here at the Virgin Islands Police Department. Physical fitness is no longer an issue of personal safety and pride, but a labor and management conflict that begs resolution. It is difficult to identify a specific time, but somewhere along the line VIPD officers were no longer required to be physically fit and fitness was removed as one of the criteria for promotion. This is unfortunate, considering that a police officer’s physical fitness may often mean the difference between life and death.

Officers in the police academy must demonstrate physical fitness in order to graduate. An annual physical is required of police officers. Beginning at age 55, officers must also submit to an annual medical exam and be certified mentally and physically able to continue in the position. However, officers are not required to demonstrate their ability to perform any fitness-related tasks in order to remain on active duty.

The public expects a certain level of fitness from the police officers who are sworn to serve and protect them. A study published in the April 2006 Texas Police Journal cited specific tasks in which poor physical performance might jeopardize an officer or the public. These tasks include running in foot pursuits, climbing stairs, using hands and feet in self defense, and jumping and dodging obstacles. Even the act of restraining a suspect can negatively impact an officer’s well-being.

The Department has attempted to provide opportunities for officers to improve their physical fitness. In 1996, a physical fitness program was started. The aim of the program was to enhance and encourage physical fitness and assist personnel in achieving optimum physical performance. Sworn personnel were urged to “get serious about fitness.” Since then, the department has made arrangements with local gyms that enable officers to receive a discounted rate on memberships. The poor response to these initiatives only increases my resolve. Physical fitness remains a challenge that the VIPD cannot ignore.

Everyone pays the price when officers of the VIPD are not physically fit. The department absorbs the costs of Workmen’s Compensation claims for those officers injured on the job. Overtime expenses are an added cost, as the department must now ask personnel to work extra shifts to make up for any shortfalls in police coverage.

A physical fitness program can only prove beneficial to our officers – to their quality of life, their ability to perform well in their careers, and to the overall ability to reduce the chances of illness, injury or death. Officers who are physically fit generally take fewer sick days. They are better able to handle the physical and mental stressors of the job. Physical fitness requirements may even improve the caliber of people who choose to make law enforcement a career.

The VIPD’s efforts to implement a cohesive physical fitness requirement are not unique to this department. Law enforcement agencies across the country have similarly explored and implemented programs that have proven advantageous to law enforcement and the community.

The connection between physical fitness and overall well-being cannot be denied. Physical fitness of police officers should not be an issue for negotiation, but instead a requirement for all who choose to serve in this capacity. Simply put, our lives depend on it.

We shall draw from the heart of suffering itself the means of inspiration and survival. ~ Sir Winston Churchill