Oakland PD hosting charity bench press

The Oakland Police Department is putting a call out to anyone who thinks they have what it takes to win its upcoming bench press challenge.

The Bench Press for Charity competition is Saturday, March 26, at Crossfit Trailside, in Oakland, and the event is part of the department’s ongoing support of Special Olympics Florida.

The OPD has raised money for the organization for several years now, Police Chief John Peek said. It started out as a bench-press competition between the area’s police and fire departments but has since been opened to residents who want to show their strength and earn bragging rights.

Peek said Crossfit Trailside owner Tony Siceloff agreed to hold the event at his facility and will serve as the judge.

Athletes ages 16 and older will participate in one set, performing as many reps as possible. In the women’s division, participants must bench press 55 pounds. Men less than 185 pounds must bench press 185 pounds, and those 185 pounds and more must bench press 225 pounds.

Men and women will bench press the designated weight for as many consecutive full reps as possible before re-racking the bar. Assigned spotters can assist with re-racking once the lift has reached his or her maximum number of reps.

Trophies will be awarded to the top male and female finishers.

Participants will receive 20% off a first-month membership at the Crossfit center and a special T-shirt that includes a list of all the business sponsors.

“A lot of the guys and the fire guys and the cops are showing up and doing it for fun because it’s for the charity,” Peek said. “I’m a competitive guy, and I’m participating.”

Lt. Angela Campbell also has signed up for the challenge. Peek said he has received interest from departments in Ocoee, Clermont and Groveland, and Apopka is sending its SWAT team.

When Officer Rene Castro came to the Oakland Police Department from another city, he brought with him several programs he did through the Community Policing Unit, including the Bench Press for Charity and Tip a Cop. Several years ago, the Oakland PD was second in the state, behind only Fort Lauderdale, in the amount of monetary tips raised during the event.

Oakland supports Special Olympics Florida throughout the year with several fundraisers.

“I want to support youth in the community, and this is one way to do it,” Peek said. “I want people in the community to view their police department as an organization that’s going to help you.”

Oakland also supports Grow Orlando, an organization that provides sports balls to the police department; in turn, officers can hand out the sports equipment and engage in conversation with the town’s youth.

“I want the police department more involved in the community, and engaging the youth seems to be the way to do it,” Peek said.

Special Olympics Florida provides year-round sports training and competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for people with intellectual disabilities.