Should cops be allowed to be out of shape or fat?

Question

Seems like I am seeing more out of shape officers out there. Usually not state, but local. I know there are many tallented and buff cops out there, but there are also some really round ones.

Why is this ok? If they are desk cops I would have less of a problem, but these are beat cops - the ones that have to run down the bad guys and fit behind the wheel.

Physical ability is critial and I feel we should have no problems letting these folks off the force 'til they are in shape again. I feel less safe seeing round cops and I would think that fellow officers would demand this of their peirs. Should the unions not demand this for the sake of the other officers they represent? Should we as a public accept this?

Perhaps we can drop yearly pay by $1000 for each lb. they are over their ideal weight and let them make the decision themselves?

Anyone suggets a soln' that prioritizes the function of the police and does not simply protect the job of someone who is no longer fit to work

Answer 1

This whole country is obese. Some departments have "fitness incentives" which pay officers or give extra days off if they pass a physical agility test. Others offer gym memberships or workout rooms.

It is the officer's responsibility to stay in shape. Being a police officer is stressful. We die younger, and mental health issues are likely to end in suicide more then being murdered in the line of duty. Excercise and cardio health are essential in this line of work.

We have to be heros in society. Super cops that can run, fight, shoot, and trained to handle many situations. If an officer allows himself to get out of shape, that should be addessed. Society depends on us to be our best.

Answer 2

Many departments do have restrictions and will take officers off the streets until they get the weight down to where it should be and like you, I have seen some that are an embarassment to the department. I hate to see a fat, sloppy officer in uniform. We had a few where I worked that looked bad (the Chief himself could set a better example) but the younger guys work together to maintain their weight and stay in shape as they go to the gym together and run together regularly.

And I don't think it should matter whether they are in uniform and on the street or if they sit at a desk. They are on call 24/7 and they never know when they might be out and have to stop a felon so all of them should take good care of themselves.

The FOP negotiates most department's wages so you can't drop their pay unless it is in the contract ~ and I can guarantee the FOP will somehow put a stop to that before they sign the contract.

Answer 3

Sadly, police fitness levels are merely a reflection of our entire culture.

There are many factors which make an officer good as their job. Running at high speed to catch a fleeing felon on foot is only a very small part of that. If he/she is responsible, honest, savvy, etc., then he/she is probably doing a good job overall. The fastest runners on the force may actually be the worst officers.

Some sort of incentives to get fit, seems reasonable, but if you fire every officer that gets 10, 20, or even 50 pounds over-weight, you probably won't be able to staff your force.

Answer 4

Who says the obese are not healthy, smart and needed too?

Many years ago, when I was on the street, I participated in a class action that required the LEO to return to the weight he was hired on by the appointing authority. (I was hired on at 280 lbs. and out of the USMC a short time) .In the same class action the only other requirement that was levied on the LEO was to be able to back up a patrol car in reverse gear. Those were the only two requirements an active police officer MUST do. I don't think it has changed.

These other answers given are all well and good but are subjective and not covered, as far as I know, by laws. You can ask the cop to slim down, get in shape but how many times are you going to ask? Who is out there, in authority, that will force an out of shape cop to get it together? His attorney will laugh in your face all the while collecting on a suit for harrassment.

It would be nice to have the ripped and buffed out front all the time. But that's not realistic. Obesity doesn't keep an LEO from the promotion boards and being hired by another jurisdiction. If he/she is experienced and certified he or she will be hired. In our local S.O. they hired an experienced deputy at the age of 70 years and is still serving and healthy at age 74. What's to stop him? Most LEO administrations are more interested in cutting down their training time and filling uniforms with experienced warm bodies than anything else. And, they should be. Certain crimes can only be stopped by manpower and plenty of it. Take the traffic on our interstate systems. if you don't have enough people patroling and being seen the incident of violations, accidents and aggressive driving skyrockets.

LEOs have more clout than they know and should learn through the unions how to handle these kinds of situations.

Answer 5

I agree to a point. When I answered a question on what is needed to be a police officer, it has now occured to me that I left out being in top physical form (but I'm sure that asker meant in terms of education.)

You don't need to be buff, but I agree that physical ability is critical, especially if you're giving a long foot chase to arrest a suspect. Cops who are fat or out of shape (or in my case, have physical limitations, which would hinder your chances of such a career) have a lesser chance of being successful in this, as they would be huffing and puffing when running, and the suspect would outrun them.

Businesses these days are making employees pay on their own for being overweight, however, I don't think this would be necessary for police. Obviously, a more improved physical fitness program would be called for, one that would require spending at least two hours in the gym, when not out on the beat, getting involved in cases or doing paperwork. And donut shops should start serving officers more healthier alternatives as opposed to donuts. Tim Hortons in Canada, for example, has muffins in bran, blueberry and raspberry available, as well as soup, chili and sandwiches for lunch break.

Answer 6

No Its Not. If They Get Too Heavy They Can Be Cited To Comply With Whatever The depts Policy Is Regarding Personal Appearence And Physical Standards.

Answer 7

I see mostly fat cops here in my town and environs. I think what you say is true, in part, but there's one generally recognized factor working in the fat cop's favor: for the most part even flabby, non-muscular fat people can win, or at least hold their own until help comes in a fight, by virtue of the dead weight of their body. It's the old "what's he going to do, sit on me?" principle, which has some basis in fact.

On the other hand, fat guys can't run worth a crap. I think it's likely that cop overweight is responsible for the increase in use of tasers and remote deadly force: "Can't catch them? Just shoot at them."

For police, as for the rest of society, overweight continues to be a serious problem.

Answer 8

I am sure each one has his own reasons for being fat. If they were not effective I am sure they would not have their jobs. You should not assume they are not good police just becuase they are fat. Many of us who are fat are very productive and effective workers. It is not your position to judge those of us who are fat. We know what we are.

Answer 9

well it kind of depends. When i left one day. I saw a cop car. One of them was eating chicken and the other was eating a doughnut I think that during a non car chase, they would need to be in shape. Think of it like this. If u were on an island, the fat or the fit person. Who would die first?

Answer 10

Try paying them enough to make it worth while to stay in shape.