The Ottawa Police Service hopes to cut absenteeism and save on long-term health-related costs with a year-long project to make cops healthier.

Sgt. John Kiss, who has high cholesterol, high blood pressure and diabetes, says he was an ideal candidate for the "Real You" project, which began earlier this year.

"My improvements over the last six months have been so pleasantly dramatic that I've been able to start coming off my existing blood pressure and diabetic medications," Kiss said.

After his initial assessment, he was referred to a cardiologist and endocrinologist. Kiss now walks about 10 kilometres a day and has lost 62 pounds.

"My goal is to, on my 35th anniversary, which is next June, I would like to be the same weight I was as a 19-year-old, when I joined the police service," he said.

Promising results

Lead doctor Neda Amani said the team has diagnosed high blood pressure, allergies, diabetes, high cholesterol and alcohol dependency in the Ottawa police.

Seventy officers and 30 civilians in the project had abdominal ultrasounds and met with doctors, psychologists and fitness trainers.

Six months after the trial began and lifestyle changes were underway, there have been pleasing results, Amani said.

"About 70 to 80 per cent of people said the program has had a significant positive impact on their personal life," said. "About 50 per cent said they had impact on their professional life and their ability to manage stress."

Police Chief Vern White is pleased with the results since studies have shown police officers often have a shorter lifespan. They have higher suicide and alcoholism rates and a higher percentage of police go through marital breakups.

The Ottawa Police Service is spending $267,000 on the year-long health project. At that cost, it will not reach all 2,000 employees but White said the goal is to identify which parts of the program have the most impact and offer to the entire police force.