The nature of police work requires that officers remainphysically fit, not just to avoid disease and other pitfalls of aging, but to withstandthe rigors of uniformed patrol. It takes strength and agility to pursuesuspects on foot or subdue a violent perpetrator. For these reasons, it isparamount the cops take care of themselves. On routine patrol, however, it isdifficult to make the choices necessary to stay in shape.
Police officers eat in fast food restaurants, drink a lot ofcoffee and sugary beverages, and smoke cigarettes. Cops spend long hours in asector car, or perform lengthy observations and that equals a lack of exercise.This routine is not conducive to healthy living and eventually makes the jobharder. A physically fit officer has the energy to make arrests and is able todefend themselves more easily than a cop who is out of shape. Officers do notset out to become overweight and less active, but the nature of their work oftenleads to this.
In the course of an eight hour tour of duty, an officer will haveat least one meal period. Food choices in many neighborhoods consist of mostly fast foodeateries or small restaurants. The quality of the food can be poor, at best.Fatty burgers, take out dinners, and other greasy dishes eaten on a regularbasis take their toll. The best an officer can do is to bring their own lunchfrom home. It is difficult to “brown bag it” as a cop because the vagaries ofthe job often dictate that officers make arrests, investigate crime scenes,guard prisoners in the hospital, or engage in dozens of other time-consuming activities. Thesandwich or leftovers a cop brings to work can sit in a break room refrigeratoror in the back seat of a squad car for many hours. By the time the officer hasa chance to eat, their food will be unpalatable. As a result, fast food becomesan unhealthy alternative for most officers of patrol.
So, what are cops to do as they succumb to poor diets andthe grind of law enforcement? Quitting smoking is a no-brainer; much has beendone in recent years in the way of public education to explain the risksassociated with tobacco intake. As for eating, officers can still bring healthyfood to their precinct if they have a reasonable expectation they will be ableto have a meal period during their shift.
In the event that police activity keeps one from away fromthe station house, opt to eat from the healthier selections on a fast foodmenu. Many burger chains offer salads or low-calorie wraps which are preferableto burgers and fries. While on patrol, seek out eateries with take-out menusconducive to a proper diet. Drink water instead of coffee or soft drinks, andget out of the squad car and walk when the radio is quiet. Use the stairs whenresponding to non-emergencies as opposed to the elevator. Many precincts nowhave gym equipment and officers should take advantage of treadmills or otheraerobic machines to maintain stamina for foot pursuits. A gym membership isbeneficial as well, and finding fellow officers to work out with will makevisits to the gym a social experience.
Police work will always be physically demanding, andofficers will continue to suffer the strains of the job. But making an effortto eat healthfully and maintaining a steady workout regimen can help officersmaintain their productivity.
About the Author: Michael J.Kannengieser is the author of the police thriller, TheDaddy Rock. He is a retired New York City police officer who liveson Long Island with his wife and two children. Michael worked as the ManagingEditor for Fiction at The View from Here magazine, a U.K. based literarypublication and is a contributor to Criminal Justice News.Currently, he is employed at a performing arts college as an InstructionalTechnology Administrator. He has been published at The View from Here, and inNewsday, a Long Island newspaper. Michael speaks as a guest lecturer oncampus. ClickHere to buy a copy of Michael J. Kannengieser's new novel "The DaddyRock."
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