Photo provided Members of the Columbus Police Department meet for a workout at the Central Middle School track. Featured from left to right are Officer Tyler Boswell, Officer Cameron Curry, Sgt. Clayton Nolting and Officer Kyle Hildebrand.
For the first time, Columbus Police Department officers are inviting adults in the community to join them for weekly physical training sessions.
“PT with the Police” will begin at noon Sunday at the Central Middle School Track, 725 7th St. The program will continue to be held at the same time and place every week.
While there is no cost to join the one-hour workout sessions, CPD spokesman Sgt. Skylar Berry said participants are being asked to fill out a waiver available on their website and submit it to the department.
The web address is columbus.in.gov/police/pt-with-the-police.
Because of the required waiver, Berry said it will be best if all participants are age 18 or older.
The original idea was to attract young people considering a career in law enforcement and focus them on meeting police agility standards, he added.
“It was a way to help potential applicants get prepared and know kind of what the process is going to look like,” Berry said. “But the idea obviously spread to make it more of a community event open to anyone who may want to get back into shape.”
While the workout will be similar to what is used at the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy in Plainfield, Berry says those who participate will find the officers supportive.
“It is not going to be a drill instructor or drill sergeant type of environment,” said Berry, adding that a non-competitive environment will be maintained.
Berry emphasized one of the significant goals of the “PT with the Police” program is to continue establishing positive relationships with residents.
If an applicant is someone who wants to apply for the Columbus Police Department, Berry said the weekly program will make them aware of the physical standards required for enrollment in the academy.
“We’ve gotten a lot of good support and positive feedback so far,” he said.
At this time, Columbus police have not set an age cap for “PT with the Police, Berry said.
“Obviously, this is a new program,” the police spokesman said. “We want to see how things go, and whether changes will have to be made.”
In addition to the signed waiver, participants in “PT with the Police” should bring the following:
- Plenty of water
- Workout attire (no cut-off shirts)
- Yoga mat (optional)
For more information, contact Officer Cameron Curry at [email protected].
