Officers in one local police department stay on the streets, but away from sweets. For three years, the Darlington Police Department has offered its men and women in blue incentives to stay healthy, and now they’re seeing positive results from it.
Officer Steve Buffkin says he used to weigh 375 pounds.
“I didn’t have any energy, no drive,” he says, adding it was the heaviest he’s ever weighed. So he decided to do something about it. Last year, he entered into the Darlington City Police Department’s healthy initiative program. He lost weight and now is under 300 pounds and is even off some medication he takes for his blood.
“I feel great! I got my energy levels up, I got my drive,” he says.
The program encourages officers to exercise daily and eat healthier. The police department also says it also saves taxpayers money.
“It’s good on taxpayers because we don’t have to pay higher insurance for medication,” says Lt. Kim Nelson.
The program offers a financial incentive for officers who pass a fitness test every year. Buffkin says he’s working towards that, but his efforts have already landed him another award. Last week, the city named him employee of the year for 2014.