I'm an ex-UK Cop.
My running got me the job in the first place as the local Inspector who did all the pre interviews was a runner and wanted me in the force x/country team. Needless to say I got the job after running the forces standard 1.5 miles in 7.34 on a hilly lap around our local Police HQ !
Our force often won the National Police X/C Champs for forces with sub 2000 personnel.
I was more of a track man, where I ran my lifetime 800m PB of 1.59.8 in the Police National Track Champs finishing 5th.
On a more practical note, my running prowess enabled me to capture a local juvenile burglar who broke out of the Police Station which was supposed to be bomb proof and IRA proof (back in the day )!
Saw him nonchalantly walking down the street where he saw my Police car but didn't spook !
It wasn't until I opened the car door and then we were off down a Derby city main road in rush hour traffic.
That morning before work I'd run a 12 miler so was well warmed up.
Chased him for a good 600 - 800m in full Police Uniform apart from the helmet of course !
He then decided to try and fight me on a building site and made the fatal error of pulling his plank of wood over his shoulder, where I took him out. Backup then arrived and the youth in his interview couldn't believe he'd been captured. The Detective told him that I was an Olympic runner ! Very satisfying.
A more humorous story about running helping me out was when I celebrated my 30th Bday after the morning shift in the local pub.
@ 6-7 pints later I went home p*ssed but knew I had to sober up quick as I had an indoor 1000m the next day !
So I went for a run and nearly fell over in the first few steps but then managed to carry on. My head was banging and began to feel more drunk as the alcohol was flying around my body. Gradually, I managed to sweat it out and the next day, ran a decent 2.39 . Not recommended of course, but effective.