In recent years, public awareness of fitness has grown to the point where most people know that being physically fit doesn’t just mean having a strong body. While strength is important, physical fitness also means increased flexibility, faster recovery from illness or injury, improved endurance, and much more.
Security and Public Safety agencies across Canada and the US realize the importance of physical fitness and how it affects the performance and safety of their officers. Today, many departments at the municipal, provincial and federal levels have specific health and fitness standards that applicants must meet if they are to be considered – and for good reason! Security and Public Safety work can be physically demanding. If you’re considering a Security and Public Safety career, the good news is that a solid fitness training program will help you develop the technical skills and physical capacity to excel on the job.
Physical Fitness Boosts Energy Levels and Mental Clarity
Include physical education classes along with some dedicated time in the gym, so most who enroll find themselves in great shape after a couple of months! But keeping up the workout routine once you’ve entered the workforce and are busy can be very challenging. In addition to fitting in regular exercise, you must take care to watch their diet. A recent study done in a major metropolitan police department showed that officers who brought healthy lunches to work each day experienced higher levels of physical energy and mental clarity compared to those who typically hit the drive-thru out of convenience during their shifts. Given the importance of quick thinking and physical agility to security and public safety work, it’s definitely worth swapping a midday burger and milkshake for some lean meat and veggies.
The Role of Muscular Strength in Performance
Developing muscular strength through physical fitness routines such as weight training helps prepare the body for bursts of speed and power officers need while on the job. No matter your height, age, or gender, good muscular strength will have an impact on your ability to apprehend an agitated suspect, sprint up a set of stairs, or burst through a locked door. To use their strength to perform defensive maneuvers that protect both themselves and the citizens they serve.
Physical Fitness Promotes a Professional Image
Studies show that developing physical fitness can also protect officers from becoming victims. In numerous interviews with criminals conducted by the FBI over the past 10 years, it was revealed that offenders usually size up an officer’s physical ability when making decisions to flee, take aggressive action, or submit to arrest. The results indicate that regardless of race or gender, if officers appeared fit and carried themselves in a professional manner, offenders were more likely to submit peacefully to arrest. When officers were perceived as out of shape, offenders judged them as potential targets and capitalized on the situation. A healthy fitness program will not only help you meet departmental requirements, it will help you perform better on the job and maintain a persuasive professional image of strength and vigor.
