Saskatchewan RCMP officers work hard to stay in shape. And while their fitness program emphasizes physical prowess, it also tests officers on their mental abilities. Now, the officers are getting some help from Boston researchers.
Lindsay Shaw is a neuroscience consultant. She is testing RCMP officers to measure how quickly they react, understand, and deal with what's in front of them.
“We were looking at an officer's ability to just process information, to switch between different types of tasks, how long they can sustain their attention, that type of thing. How quickly they can generate new strategies."
The cognitive assessments being done by Shaw and her colleagues are part of a larger effort by F division in Saskatchewan to improve the health of its officers. Two and a half years ago, the force launched a 12 week exercise program designed to help RCMP members prepare for a mandatory physical evaluation known as PARE. The goal of the program is to target physical inactivity, but Shaw and her team are also interested in observing the link between exercise and the brain.
“We know that exercise facilitates better information processing, so there's a shorter latency, so people see things faster and recognize that they're there. They are more consistent and accurate in their responses."
The sleep patterns, stress levels, and diet of the participants are also being monitored with the goal of providing feedback to the officers and suggestions on how to improve their overall health, ultimately making for a stronger force.
Right now, F division in Saskatchewan is the only division of the RCMP to have implemented this type of holistic approach to its member’s health.
