SAPS members put through fitness testing
PARKVIEW – All SAPS members are to conduct a fitness assessment on an annual basis.
SAPS members from seven police stations were put to the test on 14 May when they attended a fitness assessment at Zoo Lake.
Members from Parkview, Rosebank, Hillbrow, Jeppe, Yeoville, Cleveland and Norwood police stations were assessed by Sergeant Emmanuel Manganyi to see if they measured up to the SAPS Physical Fitness Standards.
Spokesperson for the Parkview Police Station, Captain Tintswalo Sibeko said the main objective of the annual assessment is to ensure compliance, adherence and maintenance of members’ fitness levels according to set standards to ensure that they can perform their assigned duties effectively.
“Our duties at the station are largely based on physical strength and we need to be fit in order to fulfil our duties,” said Sibeko.
She explained that all members at each station would be assessed annually.
Manganyi said the assessment would comprise of a beep test, push-ups and sit-ups as well as measurements of blood pressure, weight, waist circumference and height. “We assess members based on set standards based on their age and sex,” he explained.
For example, according to the standards, a 33-year-old male would be required to complete 33 laps for their beep test, while a 57-year-old woman would need to complete nine laps.
Manganyi said those who fail the test would be required to attend a boot camp during the week at the Arthur Bloch Park in Mayfair until they feel fit enough to be reassessed. He said, “Members who have chosen a career in serving and protecting the community must look after their personal well-being.”
Manganyi added that when police are unfit, they will be sick more often and less productive. He also expressed the importance of police being able to run after criminals and be without excuses.
The assessment was conducted using small groups of members with physical distancing in order to comply with Covid-19 protocols.
Station commander for the Parkview police Colonel Theledi Gopane explained that both a healthy body and mind is needed from police members in order to perform their duties. He said the Parkview Police Station has performed well in the assessment so far. He encouraged members to join the station’s soccer team and do aerobics at the gym in order to keep fit.
Management Informational Centre personnel member at Parkview police Sergeant Khumbulani Tshabalala said that she runs and walks often in order to keep fit and was sure that she would pass the test.
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