Fennimore, WI – In an effort to improve alarming health and wellness statistics in the criminal justice field, Southwest Tech is offering Tactical Functional Training (TFT), a unique tactical fitness program designed specifically for law enforcement recruits and agencies. The program is critical because law enforcement officers have three times the rate of developing cardiovascular disease compared to the general population as reported by the January 2011 issue of the Wisconsin Police Journal. Additional studies published by The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies, Inc. show police officers on average live two to five years after they retire from the force. These statistics can be directly related to a lack of personal and departmental fitness and wellness programs within law enforcement departments. For law enforcement officers, TFT can be used as a preventative method against injuries and health related issues.
Southwest Tech’s TFT program is a wellness program designed to target train specific muscle groups using exercises created specifically for situations officers encounter in the line of duty. Research has shown that regular exercise helps prevent and improve health problems and reduces stress. The goal of the program is to bring a new culture to departments and recruits using a cost-effective wellness model with stability balls, resistance bands, and TRX Suspension Trainers, a versatile piece of exercise equipment that is portable, lightweight, and can be used in a minimum amount of space.
Kris Wubben, Southwest Tech’s Criminal Justice Coordinator, feels strongly that this training is vital for individuals in the law enforcement field.
“TFT is different than traditional training; it trains officers for the function ability of the job. The focus is not on bench pressing and weight training, instead the focus is on building strength and flexibility in specific areas officers easily strain or injure in the field such as their shoulders and lower backs. Preventing these injuries is critical for a successful law enforcement career,” discussed Wubben.
Dubuque Officer Chad Caszatt feels Southwest Tech’s TFT program is well thought out, comprehensive, and takes into account the various fitness levels of members within any given organization.
“The training helped me to refine some basic movements and showed me that little to no equipment is needed for a solid, well-rounded fitness program. As a fitness instructor and member of the Dubuque Police Department’s fitness committee, I highly recommend that this program be adopted by law enforcement agencies,” testified Caszatt.
The TFT program has also been incorporated into the Criminal Justice – Law Enforcement curriculum at Southwest Tech.
“Southwest Tech is the only college in Wisconsin to develop this type of program for Criminal Justice students,” declared TFT trainer Scott Michel. “The program instructors at Southwest Tech are playing a huge roll in changing the culture of the criminal justice field by implementing a tactical fitness program at the college level.”
Tom Kretschman, lead instructor implementing the TFT program, wasn’t a believer until he tried the program himself before approving it for officers and recruits.
“Initially, I was very skeptical of this training, as it was a departure from the type of training that most law enforcement officers are accustom to,” admitted Kretschman. “I was very comfortable with traditional weight training and cardio conditioning and had no interest in using stability balls and resistance bands in my training routine. However, once the training started my opinion quickly changed and I realized that I had some areas of deficiency. I’ve implemented these techniques and movements into my regular fitness regimen and plan on making this program the foundation of our fitness training in the law enforcement academy at Southwest Tech.”
Michel would like to see the TFT program adapted by police departments and training academies statewide. “By directing recruits on how to properly train and strengthen the body for situations in the line of duty will make them valuable assets to their future departments. Southwest Tech can customize programs to meet specific needs of each department by giving officers the tools to maintain themselves throughout their career allowing them to better serve the public and minimize the potential for health related issues.”