POLICE OFFICERS RESPOND TO PEER'S 911 FITNESS CALL

Police officers from across South Florida showed up in workout clothes and stood in line to get their fat measured Saturday at the North Miami Beach Police Department.

They assembled in teams: the Deputy Hogs of Miami Shores, Donut Busters of Oakland Park, Lady Cops of the City of Miami, Body Fat Assassins of Pembroke Pines, Rookies and Seniors of North Miami Beach and the South Beach Blues Brothers of Miami Beach.

All turned out for a chance to win $2,000 and meet the challenge issued by City of Miami Police Detective Jim Sayih, who is also director of 911 Fitness, a nationwide effort to help police departments create positive lifestyle changes, which include a fitness program and good eating habits.

Sayih challenged 90 police departments from Key West to West Palm Beach to lose fat and increase lean muscle tissue over a 12-week period that started Saturday and ends June 26.

Last year, the North Miami Beach police department participated in a similar fitness contest. The winner, Maj. Carl Coffey, won $1,000 and lost 32 pounds. Sayih wanted to expand the program to other agencies and incorporate the team spirit.

``The benefits of an optimum quality of life produces harmony in the family, police department and community. Everyone wins,'' Sayih said. ``If this program can spark a small interest in moderate physical fitness, we as a population will reap the benefits of an improved quality of life.''

The proceeds from corporate sponsorship of the event will go to Shriner's Hospital for Children Endowment Fund, said Irwin Kirby of Mahi Shrine.

NMB Police Chief William Berger is a member of the Seniors, one of three teams competing this year from his department.

``Everyone on our team is over 40. We should motivate the younger folks. If we can compete on their level, they should try even harder,'' said Berger. ``If you feel good about yourself, you will feel good about other things in your life and problems in the community can be diverted through exercise.''

The other NMB teams are the Redheaded Stepchildren and the Rookies.

Deputy Chief Linda Loizzo is also a member of the Seniors team.

``I feel that it is important to set an example with people you work with. It is a personal challenge and it is part of my daily routine. I am committed to the program long-term. Last year I lost 10 pounds and reduced body fat.''

The seven members of the South Beach Blues Brothers team from the Miami Beach police department incorporate exercise in their daily routine on and off duty.

``I want people who are into training and are motivated, because I want to win,'' said Capt. Charles Press of the Miami Beach police department. ``The team will work out together five days a week and if not, I will motivate them. If we win, we will probably donate half the money to the Police Athletic League children's program and the other half to the Shriners. As long as the money goes toward the kids, we are happy.''

Thirty-year-old Robert Lawrence is a Beach officer who runs four times a week and sticks to a low-fat diet, but said working out by yourself and sticking to your own routine sometimes is not enough.

``Captain Press is an inspiration and a great person to help motivate us. He is older than I am and has less body fat than I do,'' Lawrence said. ``I hope that our team will inspire our department to get in shape.''