Howell Police Take Part In Fitness Games

Fifteen teams of police officers put their fitness and teamwork on display at the first Elite Law Enforcement Fitness Challenge last week.

And at the end of day, the Stafford Township police department took first and third place, sandwiching a second-place finish by the Toms River Police Department.

The inaugural challenge, hosted by the Manchester Township Police Department on Wednesday, successfully raised money for charity while allowing local police officers to test their fitness levels.

This team-based competition, held at the Harry Wright Lake in Whiting, raised nearly $6,000 for the Ocean of Love Charity and the not for profit Manchester Township Police Foundation Inc. The officers were proud to work together and compete in grueling physical exercises, all for worthy causes.

“It was an intense race for an exclusive group of athletes who just happen to be police officers,” Manchester Chief Lisa Parker. “In today’s world of increasing violence, it’s important for Law Enforcement to take physical fitness seriously as so much can depend on it.”

Stafford Township Police Team 1 earned the title of Fittest Police Department. The exercises included: team vehicle pull, team tire flip, fence climbs, rope climbs, barrel roll, team member carry, farmers carry, clean and press, individual tire flip, pole flip/carry, 200 yard swim, and four mile trail run.

“This was an incredibly difficult competition which required officers to be at the top of their physical fitness game and to work together as a team,” Parker said. “All of the competitors who completed this challenge can be proud of their accomplishment and their sincere dedication to fitness.”

Detective David Fusaro and Patrolman Charles Gatnarek of the Manchester department, who organized the event, said they look forward to making the Elite Law Enforcement Fitness Challenge an annual event. As the host agency of the inaugural event, Manchester did not have a team participate in the challenge but the department plans to enter one or more teams in next year’s competition.

The Manchester Township Police Department thanked the sponsors who helped make the event possible: Termini Nutrition Center, Forked River; All Star Sports Academy, Toms River; Thompson Chiropractic, Toms River; Cella’s Septic Company, Toms River; and A Simply Greener Side, Toms River.

(Howell Township police perform a Humvee pull. Photos courtesy Manchester Township Police Department)