Think you got what it takes to be an Edmonton police officer? Go work out with one and find out if you can make the cut.
Being in peak physical fitness is an essential part of being a police officer, and on Monday evening those interested in a law enforcement career can take part in a free workout with Edmonton police.
The Edmonton Police Service’s Recruiting Unit is holding a CrossFit-style workout at 5 p.m., at the William Griesbach Training Centre (14310 109 Street.)
“This is a great opportunity for members of the public to come interact and work out with current and prospective officers,” Const. Dallas Koenig, EPS Recruiting Unit, said.
“We will be available to discuss requirements and fitness expectations and to also highlight the perks and training opportunities that are offered once you join the EPS.”
WATCH: Do you have what it takes to be an Edmonton police officer?
Koenig said the 90-minute-long workouts attract people of all fitness levels, from amateurs to Olympic-level athletes. About 95 per cent of them find the intensity of the workouts an eye opener, he added.
The number one rule? No quitting. “A cop can’t just quit,” he said, explaining that the workouts mirror what is expected of a working officer.
“To quit, to stop, that’s just not an option for us.”
In 2012 the Edmonton police launched their Run with a Recruiter Program, which gives applicants a chance to work out with members and get an idea of what to expect from both training and a career with the force.
“A big part of this is that we were having issues with people who couldn’t make it through class,” Koenig said, explaining that in the past recruits who weren’t prepared would have a hard time focusing in hours-long legal classes after a gruelling morning workout, because their ability to recover was lacking.
“The more fit you are, the more resilient you are,” he said.
Watch Below: The Edmonton Police Service invited members of the media to experience part of its training process back in 2014. Four Global News team members took part. Watch Tom Vernon’s report.
Being physically fit is very important to Edmonton police: it’s one of the few forces in Canada that has mandatory fitness testing each year. All uniformed members under the age of 45 are required to undergo the gruelling assessment, designed to keep officers in shape for the physical demands of their job.
READ MORE: Annual EPS fitness assessments unique in the policing world
Those who are thinking of applying to EPS are highly encouraged to take in the free RWR sessions, to get a better idea of whether they are physically up to the challenge of chasing suspects, jumping over fences and lifting heavy objects.
The Run with a Recruiter workouts may include cardio and strength conditioning, and range from a long run to a boot camp style workout, or both. The workouts are twice a week.
Koenig said while they are aiming to attract those who are actively interested in the police application process, they also encourage other people to give the workout a try because that’s led to success in the past.
“We found that people who just came for the camaraderie, actually became interested.”
He added that even those who don’t make the physical fitness cut still found the workouts inspiring, and sometimes led to positive life changes.
Watch Below: Marathons, Tough Mudder, The Spartan Race. Interested in participating in one of these high endurance fitness events popping around the city? Fitness trainer Micaela Whitworth gives us pointers and exercises to prepare our bodies for the feat.
Fitness testing is part of a rigorous eight-stage application process, which includes a written and comprehension exam, a polygraph test, and a physical.
The EPS is looking to hire a total of 140 new officers in 2016 and another 80 in 2017.