PCC backs fitness club maintaining the ‘strong arm of the law’

A fitness group dedicated to training ex and current police officers and staff for strongman and strong woman events has received a funding boost thanks to Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen.

The County Durham and Darlington PCC has contributed a grant worth £1,000 to LA Strong as part of her commitment to improving officer and staff welfare.

The fitness group is based at The Legion Strength and Fitness in Durham – one of only a few strongman facilities in the country catering for people with disabilities – and is aimed at improving people’s fitness, mental wellbeing and supporting their rehabilitation from injuries through training for strongman and strong woman contests.

The group, which caters for serving and retired police officers and staff, is a departure from the conventional gym routine with members able to lift logs, boulders and move cars.

Named after Durham’s unique call sign ‘LA’, the fitness group is open to people of all abilities, ages and genders.

Members meet twice per month and receive coaching and encouragement from an expert team including gym owner Becca Thompson a previous World Strongest Disabled Woman and Dan Thompson who competes at an international level.

The PCC’s funding has provided new equipment including back supports, kit bags, leather belts and wrist straps which helped some of the members train for this year’s Britain’s Strongest Police Officer contest, held in June, which resulted in a number of winners and podium finishes in their categories.

Commissioner Joy Allen said: “I am proud to support LA Strong and expand the fantastic opportunities it provides our officers and staff.

“The care of our workforce – both serving and retired - is a top priority for both the Chief Constable and myself as Commissioner. Policing is a demanding occupation and any opportunity we can provide to help people release stress levels, relax and switch off from their day-to-day responsibilities must be grasped.

“Staff wellbeing is vital for productivity. Not only does LA Strong help people to stay physically and mentally healthy it also promotes positive morale which is especially important for those who are nursing short or long-term injuries.

“I am really pleased to help the group keep up the good work and wish members the best of luck in future contests.”

The group already has more than 35 members, almost 50% of which are female, who range from office staff, sergeants and those working in specialised departments. It also has over 200 followers on Instagram who regularly view and watch the group session updates.

The group has a five-member committee who help plan events and aim to eventually host inter-force competitions with Northumbria Police already interested and a future contest possible with the Fire Service and NHS Service.

The long-term aim is to have a steady flow of members attending every session and improving their Personal Bests (PBs) and for some members to compete in Britain’s Strongest Police Officer (BSPO).

Alex Bilby, Detective Constable: “Joy and the PCC’s team have been supportive of LA Strong from the beginning which has been fantastic.

“To be able to buy proper support equipment for the members to use to help keep them safe is a real positive and this will allow us as a group to develop and push on.

“Without the support of the PCC we would not have been able to get such high- quality gear and it now gives the group confidence when training. There has been so much positive feedback from other forces about the support of the PCC and hopefully this can inspire other forces to set up their own group and get the same backing.”

Earlier this year, the PCC joint funded a new police welfare van to provide officers across the force area with a space to rest and get refreshments during long deployments.

The van, which was converted thanks to a funding grant of £10k from the PCC and matched funding from Durham Police Federation and Unison, features a range of amenities including a toilet, sink,awning, solar power, diesel heater, microwave and space for seating and was designed to enhance the welfare of hard-working officers on jobs where rest facilities are limited including missing person searches, ongoing scene preservation and large scale public events.

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Picture Shows: The fitness group with Detective Constable Alex Bilby (middle with dark glasses) and PCC Joy Allen

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