Edison lieutenant makes the cut for Calendar Cops
Fund-raiser will show off another side of N.J.’s finest
BY ELAINE VAN DEVELDE
Staff Writer

JEFF GRANIT staff Edison police Lt. Bruce Polkowitz does some hammer bicep curls as part of a routine that won him a spot in the state’s calendar, 2006 Calendar Cops.

License, registration, insurance card ... lights, camera, action!Asking for identification is routine for Edison police Lt. Bruce Polkowitz, but recently the 20-year law-enforcement veteran found himself having to show a little identification of his own. And it wasn’t just his badge.

The 48-year-old Edison native is the oldest of 13 police officers from around the state who paraded their pecs, abs, biceps and faces to make the final cut in a first for law enforcement — the 2006 Calendar Cops.

The calendar, published by North Jersey Media Group, will be released in bookstores around the state in September. It will not only showcase their physical fitness, it will include the officers’ commentary on the best things about being a cop.

Proceeds from the sales will benefit the Special Olympics.

“I’m always game for a good cause,” Polkowitz said. “And this just happened to come along at the right time. I had started this new nutrition plan that changed my lifestyle and the way I looked significantly.”

Polkowitz had always worked out and watched his diet. But he was never “ripped” until he started the new diet and exercise plan that friend and colleague Patrolman Doug Freeman recommended.

Then another friend, also a police officer, who works out at the gym with Polkowitz, noticed the changes. He told Polkowitz about the calendar.

“I kept dismissing the idea,” Polkowitz said. “Then, at the last minute, I figured, ‘What the heck,’ and met with the general manager of North Jersey Media. I didn’t even have time to send pictures. I found out the next day that I got in.”

But Polkowitz says that after 20 years on the force, he has much more to boast of than his body.

“I love my job,” he said. “It’s not a routine career; I never know what’s going to come down each and every day. Despite what some people think about cops becoming cynical after years on the job, I have to say that, for the most part, we still do like helping people out more than anything.”

While Polkowitz was glad he made the calendar, he’ll be the first to say it had nothing to do with ego.

To him, it was a chance to have a lot of fun for a good cause.

“There was a lot of camaraderie with the men,” Polkowitz said. “We had the photo shoot on July 7 for half a day. They took 125 shots of me alone.”

Polkowitz is modest and down-to-earth but still proud of the work he and the other 12 cops ended up producing.

Everyone’s heard of the New York firefighters calendar. But Polkowitz said they have nothing in the face and body department on the New Jersey cops.

“There is no way the firemen of New York will beat police officers of New Jersey in the looks and build departments,” he said. “I have to say that I have the utmost respect for firemen all over the country. But forget about them competing with us in this department.”

Polkowitz said he also thinks the calendar will give the public a chance to see another side of police officers.

“I believe that when wearing a this uniform, appearance is very important,” he said. “People have funny perceptions that are many times a little off the mark when it comes to cops.”

You’ll never find Polkowitz chowing down on a donut. More likely, you’ll see him with a plate of egg whites, flaxseed oil and tomato juice, some baby spinach, veggies and protein or a sweet potato.

Polkowitz is more than just a law enforcement pro and model.

He was president of the Edison Board of Education from 1997 to 2000 and served on the board from 1995 to 2001.

He was inducted into the Edison High School Hall of Honor, his alma mater, for his community service.

Unless you get pulled over by him or happen to bump into him in the gym, the next place anyone will likely see Polkowitz is posing above a month topless, clad in SWAT pants and carrying his duty weapon.

What month? He couldn’t say.

The calendar boys got to request the month they wanted to be on, but there is no guarantee where they will end up.

Polkowitz requested January.

“It’s a good way to start off the year, and, besides, during those cold months I figured people need something to heat themselves up,” he joked.