EDMONTON – All police forces require a fitness test to become a member, but the Edmonton Police Service takes it one step further.
It’s one of the few police forces in Canada that follows up with mandatory testing each year. All uniformed members under the age of 45 are required to undergo the gruelling fitness challenge, designed to keep officers in shape for the physical demands of their job.
“When you’re called upon to deal with an event or deal with an offender or a suspect or whatever, you have to be able to react,” explains Supt. Darren Eastcott with the EPS Human Resources Division.
“Whether it’s running after someone, or having to jump over a fence or lift something heavy to do your job,” adds Det. David Butt.
He believes that the mandatory testing ensures a certain level of fitness is maintained within the force.
“The other part of it is injury reduction,” says Eastcott. “So if people are physically fit and if they are called upon to do something physical, if they are physically fit to do it, you’re not going to get injured.”
Failing the test is rare, but those who are weak in certain areas are offered a personalized fitness plan.
And it’s not just about being physically fit. EPS also educates its members about nutrition, which can often be neglected in shift work.
“I’ve grown up with that joke about cops and donuts and stuff as well – now it’s probably herbal tea and bagels,” jokes Eastcott.
Police members’ mental health is looked after, as well, with regular psychological assessments.
Eastcott says it all boils down to providing officers with “tools for their tool box” so they can go out and be able to respond to the needs of the community.
The EPS wellness program has even been used as a model by the Ontario Provincial Police.
“I think the Edmonton Police Service is in the forefront of member wellness in so many different ways,” says Sgt. Janice Forcade, who is a fan of the annual fitness assessment component.
“It makes us accountable not only to ourselves and the service, but to the people that we work with. And allows us to respond to things at a moment’s notice.”
Annual fitness testing has been mandatory at EPS for at least 35 years.
With files from Su-Ling Goh, Global News
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