7 August 2001

See contents of full IRS Handbook of Criminal Investigation: http://cryptome.org/irs-ci/irs-ci.htm

## Handbook 9.2 Skills and Training of CI Personnel Chapter 2 Physical Fitness Program
### Contents [9.2] 2.1 OVERVIEW [9.2] 2.2 AUTHORIZATION [9.2] 2.2.1 Criminal Investigation Directive No. 5--Physical Fitness Program [9.2] 2.2.2 Use of Government-Owned Vehicles--Physical Fitness Program [9.2] 2.3 GUIDELINES FOR OFFICIAL TIME [9.2] 2.3.1 Fitness Activity Logs [9.2] 2.4 AUTHORIZED PROGRAM ACTIVITIES [9.2] 2.5 RESPONSIBILITIES [9.2] 2.5.1 Physical Fitness Program Coordinator's Responsibilities [9.2] 2.5.2 Supervisory Special Agent's Responsibilities [9.2] 2.5.3 Employee's Responsibilities
### [9.2] 2.1 (07-30-1998) OVERVIEW
Effective March 31, 1993, participation in a CI physical fitness program became mandatory for all G/S 1811 special agent personnel. All G/S 1811 law enforcement personnel must undergo medical screening and, after receiving a medical clearance, must also participate in fitness assessments. Additionally, while not mandatory, all G/S 1811 personnel are strongly encouraged to engage in an approved health and fitness improvement program. Physical Fitness Program Guidelines are found in the Physical Fitness for Special Agents Handbook. The following topics are covered in this chapter: Authorization Guidelines for Official Time Authorized Program Activities Responsibilities
### [9.2] 2.2 (08-14-2000) AUTHORIZATION
Criminal Investigation Directives Nos. 3 and 5, provide for participation in the Physical Fitness Program and the use of a government vehicle during official duty hours to travel to a physical fitness facility.
### [9.2] 2.2.1 (08-14-2000) Criminal Investigation Directive No. 5--Physical Fitness Program
All G/S 1811 personnel in CI must participate in a CI physical fitness program. The physical fitness program aim is to maintain and improve the fitness level of G/S 1811 personnel. It encourages life-style changes that increase productivity and decrease disability within the workforce. Proper fitness conditioning is essential for special agents to be able to meet the physical demands of their law enforcement duties. Each head of office will establish and support a physical fitness program for all 1811 personnel in his or her office. Each Special Agent in Charge (SAC), each Director of Field Operations, and the Chief, Criminal Investigation are responsible for executing a three-part physical fitness program. Part I mandates yearly health and medical screening consisting of a health and fitness questionnaire, bloodwork, and, when needed, physicals. Part II requires participation in periodic fitness assessments of flexibility, strength, and aerobic capabilities. Part III, while not mandatory, strongly encourages G/S 1811s to engage in an approved health and fitness improvement or maintenance program. Employees who participate in an approved health and fitness improvement or maintenance program will be allowed up to 3 hours of official on-duty time (non-Law Enforcement Availability Pay (LEAP) hours) per week for approved fitness activities. Designated fitness coordinators will maintain and local management will review records of official time charged to fitness activities.
### [9.2] 2.2.2 (08-14-2000) Use of Government-Owned Vehicles--Physical Fitness Program
Special agents are authorized to drive a government vehicle during official duty hours to a fitness facility to participate in the Physical Fitness Program. (Criminal Investigation Directive No. 3) Special agents are allowed to use a government-owned vehicle to drive to a workout facility before or after the core-hour day as an extension of the core-hour day. This is allowed provided the agents go directly from their residence to the workout facility/area and then to the work station (mornings) or directly from the workstation to the workout facility/area and then to their residence or back to the work station.
### [9.2] 2.3 (07-30-1998) GUIDELINES FOR OFFICIAL TIME
CI employees in the G/S 1811 series are authorized up to 3 hours per week of official time to engage in approved fitness activities. The following guidelines apply: There is no accumulation of unused clock-time hours. Hours cannot be carried over from week to week. Official time for fitness activities cannot be taken on full days of leave. LEAP, Compensatory Time, or Overtime will not be utilized for physical fitness activities.
### [9.2] 2.3.1 (08-14-2000) Fitness Activity Logs
Each participant who charges official time to fitness activities will maintain a fitness activity log which records the date, time, duration of official and personal fitness time, fitness activity, and location. Participants will forward the log through their Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) to the Physical Fitness Coordinator within 5 workdays of the end of each month on a monthly basis. Form 9839 is utilized for this purpose.
### [9.2] 2.4 (08-14-2000) AUTHORIZED PROGRAM ACTIVITIES
The authorized physical fitness activities for this program are those recognized by the U.S. Department of Labor for coverage under the Federal Employees Compensation Act (FECA). Recreational sports such as bowling, badminton, and golf are not authorized. Because of their high rate of physical injury and not being characterized as aerobic or strength building activities, competitive team sports (for example, basketball, football, softball, etc.) cannot be included in an individualized exercise program. The following activities are authorized as fitness activities: Brisk walking Jogging Running (stationary or outdoor) Cycling (stationary or outdoor) Cross-country skiing Treadmill Stair climbing or Stairmaster Rowing Swimming Aerobic exercises (low impact, calisthenics) Rope skipping Basic weight training (No free weights) Isotonic calisthenics Flexibility exercises An employee who is ranked fair or better after completion of their aerobic assessment may also be certified to perform the following four physical fitness activities: Racquetball Squash Handball Singles tennis Activities not listed above are not part of this program, and are not covered by the Federal Employee Compensation Act.
### [9.2] 2.5 (08-14-2000) RESPONSIBILITIES
The following subsections cover the responsibilities of the physical fitness program coordinator, the SSA and the employee.
### [9.2] 2.5.1 (08-14-2000) Physical Fitness Program Coordinator's Responsibilities
The role of the Physical Fitness Coordinator includes providing employees and management with necessary materials and guidance for the administration of the program. The Physical Fitness Coordinator is responsible for the following: Arranging blood analysis for employees and retaining copies of medical screening results. Reviewing and signing participants' monthly fitness logs and retaining these reports on file. Review should ensure that fitness activities listed on the log conform to program guidelines. Meeting with each participant individually to review or develop a personalized, progressive, and systematic health and fitness improvement program geared toward reaching specific goals. The exercise prescription will be developed based on the individual's current level of fitness and fitness goals and should address cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility conditioning as specified in the Physical Fitness Special Agents Handbook. The Physical Fitness Coordinator should emphasize to the participant that the plan is flexible and can be adjusted if necessary. Administering or arranging the periodic fitness assessments. In addition, the Physical Fitness Coordinator will monitor the participant's records to ensure that periodic assessments are completed on a timely basis. Considering safety factors during all aspects of fitness testing and program development and or administration to eliminate liability and prevent injuries. Identifying possible health risk factors. Maintaining necessary certification in basic life support (CPR). Reviewing annually the procedure for recognizing and treating injuries caused by heat or overexertion. Knowing and properly using the Rest, Ice, Compression, Evaluation, Stabilization or Support (RICES) treatment for injuries. Thoroughly documenting all exercise-related accidents or injuries. When possible, taking corrective action to prevent future accidents and/or injuries of a similar nature. Checking each piece of fitness testing equipment to ensure that it is in safe working order before each use and before it is returned to storage. Maintaining all fitness and medical information for all participants in a locked, secure file cabinet or safe, and complying with the provisions of the Privacy Act. Physical Fitness Coordinators are encouraged to attend the basic first aid course offered by the National Red Cross (or its equivalent).
### [9.2] 2.5.2 (08-14-2000) Supervisory Special Agent's Responsibilities
Each SSA is responsible for: Ensuring that employees have been approved to participate in a health and fitness improvement program. This includes ensuring that all medical screening and assessment results show that the participant meets all necessary criteria. Discussing the program with each participant to determine an anticipated fitness schedule for pre-approval and ensuring participants keep management informed of the location of fitness activities during the workday. Identifying and discussing with employees, as situations arise, when official duties will preempt pre-approved fitness program activities. Obtaining monthly fitness logs from participants and reviewing them for completeness and adherence to approved program activities. Ensuring that LEAP, Compensatory Time, or Overtime is not utilized for official time fitness activities. Ensuring compliance with all safety guidelines.
### [9.2] 2.5.3 (08-14-2000) Employee's Responsibilities
The employee's responsibilities include: Participating in the CI Physical Fitness Program, including Part I (medical screening) and Part II (physical assessment). Notifying the Physical Fitness Coordinator of any changes in his or her medical or physical condition that may effect participation in the Physical Fitness Program. Ensuring the SSA is informed of his or her location during participation in Part III (approved health and fitness activities) on official time. Ensuring that monthly fitness logs are maintained and submitted on a timely basis. Ensuring compliance with all safety guidelines. If an individual is unable to participate in a scheduled fitness assessment because of injury (for example, a broken leg) he or she will, after a rehabilitation period, attempt to participate in fitness assessments during future assessment cycles. Ensuring official time for physical fitness activities does not negatively impact on official duties.
### Internal Revenue Manual | ### Hndbk. 9.2 Chap. 2 Physical Fitness Program | ### (08-14-2000)

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