SWAT Team Trains at OFZ

Owasso Fitness Zone was swarming with police officers from the Owasso Police Department SWAT team on one recent morning, but it wasn’t due to an emergency; it was in preparation for one.

Owasso Fitness Zone was swarming with police officers from the Owasso Police Department SWAT team on one recent morning, but it wasn’t due to an emergency; it was in preparation for one.

Members of the elite Special Weapons and Tactics team have been required to participate in annual fitness testing since the team’s inception, and this is the second year for Owasso P.D.’s department-wide Fitness Incentive Program. Paul Gatton, owner of Owasso Fitness Zone, was happy to provide the venue for the ten participating SWAT officers.  

“The Owasso Police Department realizes that wellness and proper fitness is very important for our officers and backed that up with the Fitness Incentive Program, offering paid vacation hours for those officers demonstrating a high level of fitness. It’s a win-win situation for the officers and the community,” said Owasso P.D. Fitness Coordinator Tracy Townsend.

Many of the officers have worked personally with Paul Gatton at the Owasso Fitness Zone for several years, and when Paul won the contract to provide fitness facilities for the police department, the officers were already right at home. “Paul is very receptive to our needs and happy to provide the expertise to maximize our training sessions. I have been working out at OFZ since it opened 11 years ago and really appreciate the service we receive from Paul and his staff,” said Townsend.

Townsend went on to explain that the officers must be tested in at least five out of nine categories of the Cooper Fitness Test, and the more categories each officer participates in, the higher his point level can become. “We rate the officer’s fitness in gold, silver and bronze categories. Gold level means 24 hours of paid vacation time, silver earns 12 hours and bronze 8 hours. It’s a great incentive for these officers. Many spend personal time training to stay in shape for work.”

Some of the testing categories include cardiovascular, body composition and flexibility, dynamic and absolute strength, and anaerobic power. Walking, running, sit-ups and pushups, jumping, and weightlifting are just some of the testing procedures.  

In addition to the officers pictured, other officers participating in the training included Chris Latta, Penny Hamrick, Terry Boehler, Rick DeArmond and Jason Woodruff. Nancy Bell, Jarod Mitchell and Mike Denton will be training at an upcoming training day, and the officers would like to thank the Owasso Fitness Zone for working around their schedules and supporting the efforts of the Owasso Police Department. 

For more information, contact

Owasso Fitness Zone

(918) 274-9998