01-21-1997 - Physical Fitness Program for Police DepartmentCity of West Covina
TO: City Cound City Manager Memorandum
FROM: PInneCommission
i
AGENDA
SUBJECT: PHYSICAL FPTNE.SS.PROGRAMFOR ITEM NO. C-6f
POLICE DEPARTMENT DATE J a n u a ry 21, 1997
® PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
Summary: The Personnel Commission recommends that a physical fitness program be developed for
safety employees in the Police Department.
BACKGROUND
The Personnel Commission is the delegated authority for determining whether to grant disability
retirements to safety employees (both Fire and Police). In the course of reviewing the medical background
information of Police Officers recently considered for disability retirements, the Commission became
concerned about the overall physical fitness of Police Officers in general. Primarily, the Commission was
concerned about how lack of fitness not only contributes to disabling conditions but also affects the City's
workers' compensation caseload and field effectiveness.
These concerns led Ithe Commission to invite the Police Chief, Fire Chief, Risk Manager, and an outside
attorney representing City interests in workers' compensation matters to speak about their perspectives on a
physical fitness program for police and fire employees. Their comments were very usefutin understanding
the current program in the Fire Department, the fitness equipment available and currently used on a
voluntary basis by some employees in the Police Department, and the potential workers' compensation
issues. The Commission does, however,, continue to have some concerns which they feel require
recommendations. f
DISCUSSION
The Commission is aware that if the City were to impose a physical fitness program in the Police
Department, it would have some impact on. the City from the standpoint of potential workers'
compensation claims. Any mandated fitness program, which is formally endorsed by the City, has the risk
of increasing claims if an employee is injured in the course of working out.
The Commission is� awarethat some employees may resist having a fitness program imposed and that a
mandatory program is a meet and confer matter. The Fire Department's program appears to work well but
their employees have voluntarily accepted the program which is conducted on City paid time.
There is also a risk 'that some existing employees would not be able to participate in or meet the standards
of a mandated program which could lead to other disability retirements or force the Police'Department to
create light duty assignments which might take officers off the street.
Given these concerns, the Commission still feels that a fitness program is -warranted based upon the number
of lower back injuries police officers experience and liability to the City if our Police Officers are not
consistently physically fit. In order to encourage the employees to pursue such a program;', the Commission
suggests that the City offer a monetary or other incentive to participating employees. Although there are
budgetary impacts to the program'as recommended by the Commission, the Commission feels that
development of a fitness program is warranted.
Staff concurs with the Commission that a fitness program at some level has merit and suggests that the
feasibility of such al program be referred to the Police Department for study and report back to the City
Council with their recommendations.
The Personnel Commission is recommending that the City Council and City Manager consider the
implementation of a voluntary physical fitness program in the Police Department. The standards for the
program to be developed should be consistent with the physical requirements of the job on'a daily basis.
Referral to the Police Department for further analysis and recommendation on implementation is suggested.
Diane F. Ure,
!1P/
Director
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