VCU news

By Mike Porter

VCU Police officers are sporting a new look.

On March 1, line-level officers began wearing more contemporary uniforms, including black and white shirts with a reflective border and larger black and gold nametags to help the public to more easily identify officers with whom they interact.

The new uniforms developed out of a recommendation from the department’s “priority committee,” which consists of line-level officers who examine issues and opportunities for the force.

“The new uniforms are durable and wearable. They are a suitable uniform for daily patrol work,” said Chief John Venuti, who ordered 200 new shirts for the department.

While the new uniforms may help officers look better to the general public, Venuti is also working to make them feel better on the inside by promoting a healthier police force. The chief kicked off his second fitness challenge.

“Healthy people are happy people,” Venuti said at the challenge March 1 kick-off.  “And I want us all to be healthy and happy.”

Vice President for Finance and Administration David Hanson told the competitors that he would like to see the fitness challenge expand to all employees.

There are 56 competitors from the police department on 14 teams with names such as “Thunder Rolls,” “Honey Badgers” and “Turkey Bacon.”

The competition continues until June 21 with large prizes awarded for the individual and team winners and smaller prizes for those who meet point goals along the way.

“We wanted to put together something that would encourage people to participate and have a lot of fun,” said Sgt. Patience Butters.

Participants will attend nutrition and health classes conducted by dietetic interns Amanda Barker and Valerie Rakes and will get together for hikes, bike rides and other activities outside of work.

On the first day, participants weighed in, had their waists measured and were provided with a scan of their body fat.
   
“I had a knock at my door last night and when I answered it, there was a box of Girl Scout cookies.  I don’t know who did it but thank you. They were delicious,” Venuti said. “But that all stops today.”

Despite the jokes and a bit of “trash talking” as the challenge kicked off, the department takes fitness seriously.

“We recently went to mandatory fitness assessments for all of our sworn officers,” Venuti said.
Each of the officers is assessed on a timed run, push-ups, sit-ups and other general fitness areas.
People interested in a career in law enforcement got a taste of those requirements. On Tuesday, 39 men and women enrolled in the VCU Basic Police Academy went through physical fitness tests at Sports Backers Stadium. The department is looking to hire ten people for available vacancies.