City pair among fittest police | Rotorua News | Local News in Rotorua

Sam Parata and Regan Mauheni could be two of the fittest police officers in the country.

The duo are based at Rotorua police station and have two of the station's fastest times for the gruelling physical competence test that all officers must pass every two years.

It was revealed this week that police from the Bay of Plenty district are the fittest in the country, boasting the highest pass rate of 92 per cent.

The district with the poorest pass rate was Waitemata, with a 77 per cent average.

The physical competence test includes pushing a car trailer 10m, carrying a car wheel assembly 10m, running 200m as well as running around cones and under and over hurdles, climbing through a window and climbing over a wall and wire fence.

Mr Parata has been based in Rotorua since he left police college five years ago, while Mr Mauheni transferred to Rotorua from Invercargill three months ago.

Until Mr Mauheni arrived in Rotorua Mr Parata was known as "the one to beat" when it came to the fitness tests, but on his arrival colleagues sparked up competition between the two men to see who was fittest.

The friendly rivalry pushes both officers to do better. Mr Parata's fastest time in the physical competence test is 1min 33sec while Mr Mauheni's fastest time is 1min 31sec.

"You have to be able to run in short, sharp bursts," Mr Parata said.

"It's also really important as a dog handler to be able to keep up with your dog," Mr Mauheni said.

He said Rotorua was an easier place to stay physically fit than Southland.

"There is so much you can do which is right on your doorstep."

Both officers said it was important to have goals to keep them motivated to stay in shape.