Why are so many cops over weight.?

Question

Don't cops have to be fit anymore. On Cops tv show. After a foot chase the cop looks like he is going to die.

Sorry JetTroop. I forgot about "he must shout commands to the bad guy" That will take a lot out of you.

Answer 1

You are so insensitive!
But I did hear that a lot of them crap their pants.

Answer 2

Tell you what, take a belt add about 20 pounds or so, then go run for several blocks. While you are at it talk out loud as if you are giving a suspects description etc. See how long you last. Oh, and for added fun, jump over a fence. You are in good shape right? I do agree that some Officers are overweight. Usually they are the ones not doing patrol duty. Most often they are ET and the like.

Answer 3

Generally cops are going to be in overall better shape percentage wise than the population they serve. Obviously you will have overweight law enforcement officers but most, again, are in good to decent shape.

As for the foot pursuits, the one thing people seem to forget is that the officer is doing multiple things during the chase. The bad just runs....that's it.

The officer has 20 pounds of extra gear (full duty belt with vest and trauma plate), must shout commands to the bad guy during the pursuit and finally give a description and direction of travel for other officers. Thats going to tire you out right there.

In the end, the officer has responsibilities, like what type of force is necessary when I make the arrest, should my weapon be out, etc...and the officer doesn't have to worry about going to jail so the adrenaline dump he experiences isn't as big as the bad guy's who is afraid to go to jail and has nothing on his mind but running.

Answer 4

I think it what it comes down to, is that Cops dont have to go through any fitness training after thier initial test. Secondly like the other said a lot of them spend time in a patrol car doing mostly traffic. However don't be fooled I have seen cops that are absolute fitness freaks, I think these guys are a little more behind the scenes doing more active work. Most cops doing traffic work, that is really their only job, while others are out in the field.

Answer 5

In Arizona cops are not overweight. Check out Channel 3 news. Maybe they just sweat a lot with all the stuff they have to wear.

Answer 6

In most places several years ago they did not require weight standards as long as they could pass their physical evaluation. Just recently they implimented weight restrictions but due to the grandfather rule they could not force people who were already in the force to loose weight or get fired so many of the over wieght police officers you see have been around for a few years.

Answer 7

Dont know what city you are from but the police in my town as well as the firemen all are in good shape and condition any city that would allow their police to get big and out of shape should look into a fitness program for them as for an officer letting himself go shows no pride in his work or the city that he is getting paid to protect.

Answer 8

The number of overweight cops is smaller than the number in the general public.

Answer 9

You spend an awful lot of time just sitting and waiting and eat at oddball times, mostly when the only places open / convenient are fast food. Then see how well your waistline does.

Answer 10

After some guys get on and done with the academy they don't work out much.

Answer 11

He looks like it, I agree, he almost looks as ridiculous as the 19 year old that he ran after and caught.