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As you probably know by now,
GDC has announced that it intends to implement a
physical fitness program for all POST certified
staff (those who must re-certify with firearms
annually). The stated purpose of this program is
to enhance officer safety by improving your
physical fitness.
This program will be administered by GDC staff
trained in fitness standards, CPR, and first
aid. Training for these individuals is ongoing
and is expected to be completed by June 2009.
They will provide training to you on this new
program at designated host sites beginning soon
after they finish training.
Beginning in July 2009 officers will be offered
voluntary fitness assessments, as well as
fitness and nutritional advice. You are
encouraged to take full advantage of this
opportunity. However, GDC has stated that you
will be tested and expected to comply with the
first phase of the fitness requirements by the
end of 2010.
Phase One standards apply to 2009 new hires and
existing staff by the end of 2010. Males will
have one minute each to complete 8 push-ups
and12 sit-ups. Females will be required to do 4
push-ups and 8 sit-ups, each in one minute. Both
are required to walk/run one mile in 16 minutes.
According to GDC, the standards differ for male
and females officers, but not for age
differences due to several standing court
decisions. Attorneys for the state have spent
many months studying and reviewing the legal
impact of these standards and believe they are
legally sound.
Assuming that the fitness program is not held up
by various lawsuits during the first phase of
the program, Phase Two standards will apply to
2010 new hires and existing staff by the end of
2011. Males will have one minute each to perform
16 push-ups and 25 sit-ups. Females will have
one minute each to perform 8 push-ups and 16
sit-ups. Both will have only 13 minutes to
walk/run one mile.
If you have a physical or medical impairment
that prevents your participation in the fitness
program on a short term basis, your warden may
allow you some latitude on a case by case basis.
Long term or permanent impairments will be
evaluated by GDC after a policy has been
developed.
If you have any impairment, make sure you get a
current medical evaluation of your ability or
inability to achieve the published GDC physical
fitness standards within the established time
limits. If have not already done so, you should
obtain and keep copies of any commendations and
past job performance evaluations documenting
your ability to perform your job at a
satisfactory or above rating while suffering
from your impairment. Be aware that long term
and permanent disabilities that prevent you from
completing your required duties may jeopardize
your POST certification (see POST Regulation
464-3-.09).
Apparently much discussion has taken place at
Twin Towers concerning disciplinary
repercussions and whether or not any groups or
classes of current officers will be
grandfathered in and exempt from the fitness
standards. However, no final decision has been
made in either case. Currently the only thing
that is being said is that officers who fail the
2010 fitness standards will be required to
participate in a health and fitness program.
The PBA attorneys have looked at the current GDC
documents and will continue to monitor and
evaluate this fitness program as it develops for
any justifible legal challenge. There are a
multitude of issues that still must be
considered and addressed by GDC to successfully
implement and sustain this program. We know that
many of these decisions have not been made yet,
so the opportunity for change still remains.
Certainly most of us would agree that the stated
purpose for the GDC fitness program is an
honorable goal. We all know that GDC executives
are trying to do the best they can for the
employees with the very limited funds provided
by our great state elected officials. But the
plain truth is the new fitness program will not
change the severe staffing shortages. It may
help you deal with the stress of the job, but it
will not change the extreme danger of chronic
fatigue brought on by the constant mandatory
overtime needed to fill minimum staffing levels.
So while many sources spoke out at the Capitol
of the critical and urgent need to fill the
hundreds of correctional officer vacancies
across the state, Georgia’s fine state elected
leadership steadfastly refused to provide GDC
with the appropriate funds to fill these
critical positions for this year and next. In
fact, if it were not for the federal stimulus
money, you would probably be facing one or two
furlough days a month. But as impossible and
irresponsible as that sounds, that is exactly
the path our elected leaders were headed. Thanks
for nothing!
Do not under estimate the power of politics.
Contact your state representative and senator
now. But remember 2010 is an election year for
every state elected official, so stay in contact
with them over the next 18 months. You know the
situation you are faced with, just let them know
how you feel. Hold them accountable in 2010!
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