The physical fitness standards for Gulfport police officers are being relaxed following contract negotiations with the Fraternal Order of Police, according to Chief Robert Vincent.

"I'm a little disappointed that we have to change the policy," Vincent said. "But it's something the city agreed to as part of its labor negotiations."

The Gulfport police chief is disappointed because he's the one who implemented the policy change in 2011. It required all officers to complete an annual physical fitness test that includes a 440-yard run, an obstacle course and a 150-pound dummy drag.

"We were kind of the first local police department in the county to do it," he said. "It was kind of unconventional in this area but I was hoping that we could lead the way for some change."

Vincent said the only other law enforcement agency in the county that requires an annual physical abilities test is the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office.

"I think that anybody who serves in the field of law enforcement ought to be able to prove that they're fit to do the job," he said. "They owe that to the public. So, that's why I put the policy in place."

Chief Vincent said officers agreed to accept a reduced raise during the first fiscal year of the contract in exchange for the relaxed fitness standards.

"I think they were offered a 4-percent pay raise," he said. "They agreed to accept a 2-percent pay raise in exchange for the reduced fitness standards."

According to a press release, Sgt. Robert Burkhart requested the change in policy while representing the first line supervisors during contract negotiations. Kenneth Afienko, general counsel for the Fraternal Order of Police, represents Burkhart and said the contract was negotiated as a global settlement offer.

"The pay raise was not tied into any physical abilities test. That was not part of any of the discussions,” he said. "There was nothing ever tied in individually to the physical abilities test. It was part and parcel to an entire agreement."

Afienko said under the new contract officers will get paid overtime for working holidays. The F.O.P. attorney said the main issue that officers had with the annual fitness test was that it was implemented in the middle of a contract.

"The way it was implemented is what gives us a little bit of concern," Afienko said. "There was no consideration for senior officers that have been here a long time."

The contract was ratified earlier this week and went into effect retroactively from Oct. 2013 through Sept. 2015. It calls for officers hired after 2011 to still complete the annual fitness test exam. Officers who've been with the department longer can choose to participate and will be rewarded with a paid day off.

"Unfortunately, I'm kind of left out of the process," Chief Vincent said. "I just kind of have to accept the way it is."

The contract calls for Gulfport police officers to get a 3 percent pay raise in the second fiscal year.