A group of newly recruited Gloucestershire Constabulary officers took part last week in a physical training session with Gloucester Rugby, led by Lewis Ludlow.

Lewis put 15 student officers, some of the Police trainers and Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) Stratford through their paces at Gloucester's Hartpury College training ground.

DCC Jon Stratford said:

"We really appreciate Lewis and the staff at Gloucester Rugby for giving us their time and making their facilities available to enable our student officers to experience what it is like to train at Gloucester Rugby.

"The session was physically challenging but also good fun. Lewis struck just the right balance, mixing it up, requiring those participating to work under pressure and as a team."

The event was organised as a way of showing appreciation to the officers for their hard work during their induction period whilst also reiterating the importance of physical and mental fitness.

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DCC Stratford in the thick of the action! (c) Gloucester Rugby[/caption]

DCC Stratford also said:

"I always attend a physical training session with our new recruits as it allows me to get to know them whilst giving them the chance to get to know a Chief Officer.

"It’s good to mix the themes up, previous sessions have included CrossFit, races up Robinswood Hill and along the Malvern’s.

"The aim is to impress upon our recruits the importance of keeping themselves fit for the challenges ahead of them.

"The main message I try to get across to our recruits is that is fitness is a state of mind not a state of body and very important given policing can be both physically and mentally demanding".

Superintendent Jane Probert, who also attended said:

"This was an amazing opportunity to demonstrate the importance of team work to our student officers, led by a premiership rugby role model such as Lewis."

Gloucester Rugby's Lewis Ludlow said:

"Having always had an interest in the police, and it being something which I would like to be involved in post rugby, it is a huge honour to be able to work with the police force and give something back after all the hard work they do for us.

"I had the opportunity to go and spend the day with Gloucestershire Constabulary's dog section in the summer, where I had a great time and which I was very grateful for. So, when this opportunity came up I knew I had to do it.

"Being in a rugby team and the police force aren’t too dissimilar, in fact you’re in a team where everyone has a role and you need to look after your mates in order to get the job done. This can be both physical and mental and hopefully this came through in training.

"If the opportunity was there to make this a more regular thing and get a closer connection between Gloucester Rugby and the police force then that can only be a good thing for both parties."

Student police officers take part in training session with Gloucester Rugby

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