NCJ Number
132310
Journal
Police Chief Volume: 58 Issue: 7 Dated: (July 1991) Pages: 16,19-22
Date Published
1991
Length
5 pages
Annotation
The primary tool for motivating New York City police officers to increase their personal health awareness involves the measurement and interpretation of cardiovascular risk factors.
Abstract
Cardiovascular risk assessment is performed by a team of civilian registered nurses. The police officer completes a self-administered questionnaire on heart disease risk factors, the nurse measures blood pressure and blood cholesterol, and the nurse identifies and reviews all the individual's risk factors for heart disease. In addition, the nurse suggests an appropriate time interval for reassessment, provides health education materials, and counsels officers regarding the role of lifestyle factors in heart disease prevention. Cardiovascular risk assessment is available at the Police Academy's Firearms and Tactics Section, local precinct station houses, and police headquarters. Cardiovascular fitness centers located at precincts and police headquarters provide officers with state-of-the-art aerobic exercise equipment and instruction. The police department's Health Services Division has also designed a nutrition awareness program. Funding for the cardiovascular risk assessment program comes from police unions through the Police Relief Fund. Cost savings realized with the program include a reduction in days lost due to illness and a decrease in injuries and their attendant costs.