Fit to fight crime: Sugar Land police get in shape

06:01 PM CDT on Sunday, July 6, 2008
By Kevin Reece / 11 News

SUGAR LAND, Texas -- Police officers are often faced with grueling, physical work.
The generally accepted idea is they will have better luck catching bad guys if they’ve spent a little time in the gym.
“I believe that we should have a physical standard,” Officer John Burns said.
Truth is, they do.
And the test program the Sugar Land Police Department started three years ago is now becoming the letter of the law.
But what does it entail?

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The standard of six tests includes bench-pressing at least two-thirds of their own weight and running a timed 300-meter dash. They also have to endure a 1.5-mile run.
“I believe it’s a good thing. It’s a standard that all police officers should be held to, some type of physical standard,” Burns said.
But unlike other departments that might only offer fitness suggestions for their officers, Sugar Land police have to pass the tests if they want to stay on the force in the field.
“From the chief all the way down, if you carry a badge and an ID, you are required to pass this fitness course,” Sgt. Jimmy Surratt said.
In fact, the chief has passed the test, and he allows three hours of “fit time” for each officer each week to stay in shape.
“We’re held to a lot of different types of standards, ethically, as far as integrity, our conduct,” Burns said.
And now they have a standard of fitness, too.
So far, SLPD said as many as 88 percent of their officers have passed the test.
The chief said those who don’t pass will be reassigned to non-enforcement positions within the department.


Any comments on this article? Is there going to be any difference between Sugarland's fitness and Metro's?