The Sunday News
Rutendo Nyeve, Sports Correspondent
THERE are fitness qualifications that must be met before a police officer is considered for employment.
During police depot training, there are fitness standards a recruit has to pass in order to graduate. After academy however, rarely are any fitness trainings. The recruit is told how important physical health is and tested accordingly, but a veteran officer might lose that fitness as time goes by.
An officer is usually hired with a certain fitness level, but over time the officer may become reluctant as other things in the officer’s life begin to take precedence over personal health. It happens slowly and is not recognised until it has an adverse effect on the officer’s daily life .
A casual look at police officers will reveal some officers who have reached the extremes of this decline in health and fitness levels.
Regardless of the professional status, if one is in a position of authority over other individuals, people will look up to them to set the standard. They do so daily in the way they speak, conduct themselves in public and even how they wear their uniforms.
However, when a supervisor or a command-level officer reaches the stage in their career where they are no longer “fighting for recognition,” this obligation to lead by example might be abandoned quickly when it comes to maintaining physical fitness.
But for Officer Commanding Matabeleland North Province, Commissioner Erasmus Makodza (54) fitness has always defined his policing. The senior officer is defying the odds and leading by example in ensuring the force stays fit.
Commissioner Makodza recently participated in the Econet Victoria Falls marathon for the 10th time.
Commissioner Makodza joined hundreds of participants at the recently held Econet Marathon in Victoria Falls and Sunday Life caught up with the top cop who explained how fitness remains one of his key priorities.
“This is my 10th participation at the Econet Marathon. At the age of 54 I still want to remain fit hence my participation in this and other competitions. It helps me to stay alert as well as interacting and networking with people,” said Commissioner Makodza.
alertness
“Fitness improves alertness and I urge members of the police force to maintain high levels of fitness as it also improves the quality of service we offer,” he said.
Commissioner Makodza is a seasoned detective having worked for 23 years before rising through the ranks due to his exceptional work and due diligence to service.
He has not only risen through the ranks but boasts of numerous achievements that include being the detective of the year for Matabeleland Region for five years. He also has the highest honour in the ZRP which is the Commissioner General’s Special Commendation.
Meanwhile, Commissioner Makodza encouraged junior officers to ensure they stay fit for their own health benefit. — @nyeve14
