MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE
2018 Regular Session
To: Rules
By: Senator(s) Parker, Blackwell, Massey, Barnett, Carmichael, Chassaniol, Clarke, Dearing, DeBar, Fillingane, Hopson, Jackson (32nd), Seymour, Watson, Whaley, Jolly
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE PARTICIPANTS IN THE LAWFIT CHALLENGE FROM THE MISSISSIPPI DEPARTMENT OF WILDLIFE, FISHERIES AND PARKS (TEAM WILDLIFE) FOR TAKING TOP HONORS AND SETTING NEW RECORDS IN THE 16TH ANNUAL LAWFIT CHALLENGE HELD IN PEARL, MISSISSIPPI.
WHEREAS, in the aftermath of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks and with the mandate of Homeland Security in the United States, the health and fitness of law enforcement personnel is more important than ever. Officers are called upon to perform increasingly diverse duties in support of the military and national security personnel. A high level of fitness can be the key to both officer and citizen survival. With this in mind, the National Center for Public Safety Fitness, located on the campus of George Mason University in Fairfax, Virginia, has established the LawFit Challenge to recognize those law enforcement officers who have proven that they are fit to serve. The National Center for Public Safety Fitness invited all law enforcement agencies from across the country to send their most fit officers to compete in the 16th Annual LawFit Challenge. This event was held on June 8-10, 2017, in Pearl, Mississippi; and
WHEREAS, LawFit is three days of intense competition. The event includes four-person teams, pairs and individual competitors. The LawFit Challenge consists of a series of six fitness and job-related competitive events: one-rep maximum bench press (based on a percentage of body weight); one-minute sit-up test; sit-and-reach flexibility test; pull-ups; 200 yards agility course (series of work-related obstacles); and a 1.5-mile run. These tests have been found to be good predictors of an officer's fitness for duty. Awards were given to the top five male and female competitors as well as the top five teams. Individual event winners were also recognized; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi law enforcement officers took the title at the National LawFit Challenge for the 11th consecutive year, and the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks dominated; and
WHEREAS, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks LawFit Team Leader Captain Chris Reed said, "Out of the 140 officers who competed, all of our guys finished in the top 16. The top three spots went to our officers." Not only did MDWFP finish on top, they did it in record-breaking style. "Our Four-Man Team, which is the big prize of the competition, broke the record set in 2015," Reed said. "The previous record was 1,599 and we scored 1,618"; and
WHEREAS, the Four-Man Team consisted of Reed, Private Derrick Scott, Lieutenant Marcus Christon and Corporal Justin Gates; the same four who set the record in 2015. Scott set another record. He racked up 424 total points as an individual. "Four hundred twenty-four is the highest score in history," Reed said. "That point total is great." Reed pointed out that breaking 400 points for an individual is rare, but not for MDWFP. "In the 16 years this competition has been in existence, there have been seven officers who scored over 400 points," Reed said. "Six of those seven have been MDWFP officers." Christon and Gates also passed the 400 mark this year with 422 and 407 points, respectively; and
WHEREAS, other records were also broken. Gates lifted 226% of his body weight for a bench-press record. Christon and Scott had a combined score of 846 for a new Male Pairs record. Team members Private Tamarrius Good and Sergeant Major Ron McMillan also had solid performances. Good finished in 12th place overall with 364 points and McMillan at 16th place with 357 points; and
WHEREAS, MDWFP wasn't the only Mississippi agency that had a strong showing. Rivals Mississippi Highway Patrol and MDWFP have been swapping places between first and second in the event since 2014. With MHP's second-place finish, this year was no different. "Team Mississippi came on strong," said Reed. "It's a little rivalry that exists, but it's a healthy rivalry. We push each other"; and
WHEREAS, Dr. David L. Bever (Founder of LawFit) is convinced that the rest of the country should follow Mississippi when it comes to being fit for duty; and it is with great pride that we pay tribute to these law enforcement officers who have brought honor to their community, their branch of service and to the State of Mississippi:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING THEREIN, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the participants in the LawFit Challenge from the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (Team Wildlife) for taking top honors in the 16th Annual LawFit Challenge held in Pearl, Mississippi, and extend best wishes of the Legislature to these officers for future LawFit Challenge success.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be presented to the members of Team Wildlife, Team Captain Lieutenant Chris Reed, the Executive Director of the Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.