COSTA MESA : Officers Shape Up in Fitness Program

Police Capt. Tom Lazar admits that he used to be a three-doughnut-a-day guy. Put the box in front of him, and he wasn’t about to stop at just one, he says. And juicy hamburgers with french fries? Forget it; they were goners.

Not so anymore. For the last five years, Lazar, along with about 60 fellow officers, has spent countless hours running, pumping iron and watching what he eats. It’s part of the city’s special exercise and nutrition program to get its officers off their duffs and into the gym.

For Lazar and many of the other participants, it has had lasting effects, from lower cholesterol levels and blood pressure to increased morale. And it also meant giving up a few things.

“In the last five years, I have had probably one or two hamburgers, and I don’t touch the gut bombs (doughnuts),” he says with a laugh.

The city jumped on the fitness bandwagon in 1987 and contracted with Southern California Health Services of Santa Ana to get the program going. The common sight of a slightly overweight officer with Santa Claus-like physique and amiable charm was not only out of date but costly.

Like many cities, Costa Mesa was trying to find ways to minimize disability claims. To make the volunteer program attractive, a gym was installed at police headquarters and the officers were given three hours of paid time a week to work out.

It has been going strong since then, with about 42% of the sworn officers participating. Noting the many benefits, the City Council recently extended the $15,200-a-year contract with Southern California Health for this year.

Cynthia Smith of Southern California Health says that “some real couch potato-types” in the Police Department have made “remarkable changes” in their fitness levels.

Some of the changes are tangible, such as lowered heart rates and increased strength and endurance, while other things are not as easy to confirm, such as better self-esteem and improvement in overall attitude.

The officers have also increased their awareness about fitness and nutrition. Smith said that when she walks through the police station now, people see her coming and quickly hide foods “they know they aren’t supposed to have.”