§ 98-42. Physical fitness program.

(a)

There is established a program of physical fitness for all officers and employees of the department of police. The police chief, after having consulted with professionals in the field of physical fitness, shall be responsible for the implementation and administration of the program. The program may include but not be limited to voluntary participation by officers and employees in organized sports activities such as basketball, football, baseball, softball and individual sports such as boxing, wrestling, golf, bowling and tennis.

(b)

The police chief is authorized to establish and implement a program of organized calisthenics which shall be supplemental to any voluntary activities on the part of department of police employees, and these calisthenics shall be engaged in under the direction of the chief or the chief's designee during regular hours of duty and shall be carried on only at those locations designated by the chief.

(c)

The departments and agencies of the city are authorized and directed to cooperate and assist, upon the request of the police chief, in the implementation and conduct of the physical fitness program.

(d)

The police chief shall ascertain a valid test standard respecting individual physical fitness and shall, annually, examine all officers and employees of the department of police participating in the program and shall maintain records in a manner so as to reflect individual and departmental employee improvements in physical fitness.

(e)

All donations and contributions received from participants in the program and from others shall be deposited in the general fund of the city. All funds to be used for implementing and conducting the program shall be appropriated in the same manner as other city funds, and the expenditures for the purposes of the program shall be first approved as provided by the Charter.

(f)

The police chief or the chief's designee shall require of every person participating in the program with respect to team or individual sports, as provided for in this section, prior to such person so participating and in consideration of allowing such person to so participate, the execution by such participant of a written release, waiver and renouncement of any and all liability, claims and causes of action against the city, the officers and employees of the city, which such participant may have with respect to any injury or damage such participant might receive or incur while so participating, including but without limitation disability in line of duty or death in line of duty benefits under the pension laws governing the pension fund of which such participant may be a member.

(g)

Should any temporary total disability result from such voluntary participation by an officer or employee of the city in the program of supervised activity, as provided for in this section, the police chief is authorized to provide for medical care and treatment the same as for on-duty injuries and shall further be authorized to designate, pursuant to written medical authorization, that the temporary absence from regular duty is physical fitness injury (P-F-I), and the employee shall be so designated upon the payroll records and entitled to salary benefits as provided employees injured while on duty.