to agree that fat coppers need to slim down

[shagmundfreud]

... or have their pay docked. Or something.

Rarely in agreement with government plans for anything, but now that over 50% of male policemen are apparently officially overweight, I think plans to encourage force them to lose weight are a very good thing.

How can they possibly chase and catch criminals (who are mostly young and fit and scared) if they're carrying extra poundage?

Want to add, interesting that smaller percentage of women coppers are fat, given that a higher percentage of females than males are overweight in the general population.

what percentage of modern policing do you think actually involves physically running after men in striped tops carrying a bag marked "swag"?

Dunno!

But they'v still got to be able to do it if they ever go out on the beat.

Maybe only police who actually go out on patrol should be required to be fit.

What percentage of police take part in routine patrols or are involved in making arrests?

I've watched 'Cops'. They are always lumbering after some fleet footed perp.
I'd like to see coppers actaully out walking the beat. Its so rare here peple actually turn to see.

I agree with Kal, every reality cop show sees them running after criminals. Obviously they don't show the boring paperwork stuff but I don't think its entirely unreasonable to expect a minimum level of physical fitness/acceptable weight as a condition of employment.

totally agree. I also think there should be some sort of minimum height restriction (or is there already?)

Height restrictions went out with the Ark.

YABU - don't think I've ever seen an actual police officer chasing an actual criminal apart from up the corridors at work and I don't think they really need to be terribly fit to fill out forms. Besides, I'm quite fit although somewhat (!) overweight and part of my job involves being able to run from one place to another very quickly carrying equipment. Anyone that suggested I needed to lose weight in order to be able to do my job properly would be told to fuck off to the far side of fuck!

I think there used to be a minimum height requirement but that was dropped some time ago. I'm on the fence on that one but I can see reasons for a height requirement as well.

I hope they're going to focus on fitness rather than weight.

My dh is overweight according to the charts but he's just set off to run the 6 miles to work as he does 4 times a week (and he'll run back in the morning).

Most of the Welsh rugby team are clinically obese based on their BMI but I don't suppose your average crim would want one of them on his tail.

I'm with you on this OP. It is impossible for any Police Officer to predict that they may not need to chase after a criminal. having to do so i perfectly within the realm of possibility and they should be physically up to the task.

I can't join the force (Not that I'd want to!) because I'm half blind and I completely understand why. i have a physical impediment that stops me from doing the job correctly. Same stands for overweight officers really.

To add. It's simple physics. Small things can move faster than big things.

One of my friends is a police officer and she is overweight. Never met a better or more dedicated copper than her.

They ride bikes round here. Very smart they look too

OriginalJamie that's actually a winning plan for forces to impliment. Couldn't hurt. Our force has no money though. The forensics labs have even closed. cary stuff.

Totally agree with you op. How can you deal with someone who's resisting arrest if you're overweight or not physically fit.

I also think it's right that higher educational standards should be introduced for new recruits.

Height used to be minimum 6ft didnt' it? They did away with that.

They should be able to run after a suspect. It isn't just weight but how fit they are.

So maybe a test to run x metres within a certain amount of time, checking heart rate before and after.

I hate to say it because it does feel awful, but yes, there is a valid point here. If part of your job - a fundamental part of your job - is the catching of criminals, and that includes actually chasing them - which it does, then to be physically unable to do so means you are unable to do that element of your job.

Should you be fired? No. Not as a first option. I think it would be far better to offer support to help you to become healthy in order to carry out your job.

If you have a job, it is not unreasonable that you should be able to do that job - all of that job.

I don't think letting you out of chasing criminals because of your weight comes under 'reasonable adjustments'. I think that, perhaps, gym subscriptions or gyms in the workplace, maybe dietician advice or other support.

Of course, there are cases where weight gain is due to a medical condition, which should be dealt with accordingly. But if there is no medical issue and someone refuses to do anything and they cannot do their job, then letting them go must be an option, if a different job cannot be found. There's a limit to how many people can be station based, etc.

I am fat. Very fat. I still don't think that people should go oh, you can't do a vital part of your job because of your weight, never mind, we'll work round that. It's not fat bashing to acknowledge the reality of a situation and the problems of a situation.

Some of them need to trim their big gobs

Maybe there should be an annual fitness test as part of the job spec?

Apparently, years ago there was a requirement for nurses to be within a certain weight range as they were required to be fit.

JustHecate Very well put indeed

Everybody should have a duty to stay fit and healthy and not be overweight, not just cops.

Passing regular fitness tests makes more sense.

How would they measure over-weight? BMI? That would be useless given some coppers will be weight trainer types. I have a copper friend built like a brick shit house, probably overweight BMI-wise but fit as a fiddle.

depends on the role, surely?
a fraud squad detective spends the majority of their time in an office, conducting interviews, or in court. if they need to arrest someone, they take the Big Fit Lads from uniform with them.

public order trained officers already have fitness requirements, and these are the ones who do the majority of your actual Nicking.

I think there needs to be honesty about the implications of fat in all areas of life.

I have worked with some very overweight doctors and nurses whose obesity has implications on their practice.
I worked with a junior doctor who was so overweight that when she arrived at a cardiac arrest she could not talk, was unable to perform until the arrest had been managed by the other participants. Scary when it's just you and that doctor at night and she is purple in the face, sweating profusely and not able to talk.
There are police officers in my area who literally waddle down the road, a joke if they needed to give chase.
Why are we so frightened to address these issues when it really matters?

Also should be fitness/heart rate not weight.