In 1991 the Sheriff recognized the need to provide a workout facility for its employees. Not wanting to use taxpayer's money, it was decided to form a non-profit organization to raise the funds. As the process to form a non-profit organization began to take shape the "Harris County Deputies Fitness Fund" was initialized.

The first order of business was to form a small committee of deputies to run the organization. With the Sheriff providing the space and location in the 701 jail, it was up to the committee to provide the equipment. After doing research to find out how much money would be needed to provide the workout facility, the committee mapped out a plan to reach their goals. Starting from the ground up, the committee received many private donations, and conducted many fundraisers. Needless to say, the fund continues to grow today.

Through the fundraisers, private and corporate donations, the workout facility was later renamed "The Squad Room". The squad room officially opened on November 21, 1991.The facility features a complete line of Nautilus equipment, dumbbells, free weights, treadmill, cross trainer, bikes, and stair climbers which are utilized on a 24-hour per day basis by all Sheriff's Office personnel working various shifts

The Sheriffs Office has continued to grow, and the Sheriff, recognizing the need for physical fitness, provided space inside the new 1200 jail for our second "Squad Room". Subsequently, on April 17, 2003 the second squad room was opened. The facility contains a complete set of barbells, Nautilus equipment, a treadmill, cross trainer, and bikes.

Since the inception, the Sheriff places a great deal of emphasis on physical fitness and has assigned a deputy, who is a certified personal trainer, through the American College of Integrative Medicine in Houston, Texas. The fitness deputy prepares workout programs for personnel who request them and monitors the employee's progress. The room committee has been focused on helping deputies in applying the concepts of Proper Nutrition, exercise programs (Fitness Fundamentals - Guidelines to Personal Exercise Programs), and Stress Management techniques to promote a healthier lifestyle.