Police Department Gets Fit

From dispatchers to sergeants, the entire participated in a fitness challenge Saturday that included a three-mile run around Glenwild Lake and timed push-ups, sit-ups and planks.

Police Chief Joe Borell said he wanted to do something to boost morale in the department, and modeled the Bloomingdale department's first Fitness Agility Challenge after a program he had seen with the Federal Bureau of Investigation National Academy.

"The whole idea behind it, first and foremost, was to create a higher morale within the department," he said.

Borell said better fitness also leads to less sick time, reduced stress levels and the overall improvement of the department.

After launching the program in March, Borell was happy that he achieved 100 percent participation with the entire department signing on to be a part of the challenge. Two members were unable to do some of the physical activities due to injuries, Borell said, but they still cheered on their co-workers as 13 employees ran the three miles and completed the other physical tasks.

"The thing I'm most proud of is that we had 100 percent participation," he said.

Borell said officers in their 20's participated along with other department members in their late 50's and early 60's.

The challenge began at 8 a.m. at the track, where the department stretched to prepare for the day, began the physical workout and completed a 1.5 mile run. From there, the department went to Glenwild Lake to complete the longer run, an atmosphere Borell said was perfect due to some shade from trees along the route.

While there was some friendly competition the day of the challenge, Borell did not want to release the names of those who had the best times in the challenge, as he said it was about the department working together and not about one person doing better than another.

"It was just such a fantastic boost for morale," he said.

Det. Sgt. Steve Caputo said he was also happy to see how well the group worked together at the challenge.

"We have a tight group here, it just reinforced that," he said. "It just brought us even closer."

Caputo said he consistently exercises, as does most of the department, but that for some, "to see them gut it out on a hot, humid day" was inspiring.

"It was great to see the group get together cohesively and finish and finish strong," he said.

Borell said he is hoping to continue and improve the program next year.

"I'm hoping it will become a yearly program and we could take the scores from this year and build on them next year," he said.