To feel our police officers should be in better shape?

[waddlecakes]

Seriously, I was watching one of those UK Police style programmes and it's like you'll have a criminal jump out of a car and vault over garden walls, and you've just got these 5'5'' overweight police officers trotting along after them, heaving and panting, calling for back-up. It's not just a TV thing either, I can't remember the last time I saw tall, really fit looking police officers knocking about.

Does the police force not have any standards or what?

Quite possibly Gllaik :) joy to look at eh Maggie

I have been in a couple of landrovers as a trip with my DS not getting carted off & they did have a number of sweetie wrappers in there but the ability to run down by foot a criminal isn't top of my list in a police officer - the mental part of the job is as, or more, important surely. Having had a try on of riot gear I, as a relatively strong civvy, was surprised at the weight of it.

SWEET WRAPPERS!!!!! Good God! I hope you reported them to the Independent Police Complaints Authority.

Just don't mention the doughnuts ..........

Hee hee we got a discount at the local donut shop! (He. Did sandwiches too)

''Yes, short people are all unfit and can't solve crime'' - police on the stret aren't there to put together forensic puzzles. They're there to make sure there is order. Part of enforcing order, I would have thought, involves an ability to run after criminals.

Erm, they are there to investigate and solve crime, public order is only a small part of their remit. Clearly you have no clue.

They should only be allowed to eat in the police station. 1500 cals women, 2000 cals men. Compulsory 1hr per day intensive gym sessions (unpaid) and no sex the day before being on duty in case it impairs performance.

A rack could be considered for stretching the ones at the lower end on the height spectrum.

Simples.

I can only ever remember physically running after someone on one occasion during my 3 years in the met.

Bobbies where I'm from usually only run after sheep! Now they can run!

Your last post says it all op, these words here ...'I would of thought'. Yeah, cos you are imagining it and have no clue really do you?

You were in the met soulsister? Best police force ever

Not another uninformed poster making rather daft assumptions on something they know nothing about, after watching a heavily edited television programme?

Get a grip.

The biggest part of enforcing order, I would have thought, is the ability to talk to people and calm a situation.

I have seen countless police officers talking to people and calming them, I have seen very few chasing anyone.

These police bashing threads always remind me of the good work the police do in the face of constant criticism and scrutiny.

people always are surprised at the amount of food I put away & I always have sweets for a little sugar boost at work cos I feel like it why should cops be any different?

Op, I wouldn't want police round here to just be physically fit enough to catch a criminal, I'd rather they were mentally fit to amass the evidence to convict. Not much point in 'collaring' someone if you can't actually do them for the crime, chasing someone down isn't the only way to catch them.

And actually , it's not always those that run the fastest that catch the toe rags anyway . Before I got my IRV course , I used to pootle about in a mini metro , or an unmarked fiesta . All the younger lads would go rushing to the call with their light s and sirens on , and of course the suspects would disappear , only to pop back out 5 minutes later when they thought the coast was clear . Just in time for me to nab them . Used to upset the flashy thief takers no end , being upstaged by their version of 'driving miss daisy '

Plomino :o I bet you fought the by sticking your umbrella out to trip them up.

It's not an one or the other attribute is it?? Fitness should be a big part of an operational police officers job description, as well as report writing, tactical communications etc

Ver difficult to communicate verbally to a ned who is running away from a stolen car!!

I am surprised soul sister chased someone only once in 3 years in the met!

Yep only once!

But then fitness isn't all about chasing/running is it

Portly policemen are one of the pleasures of life.

Soulsister, it kinda is when you are trying to catch someone lol!

''Yeah, cos you are imagining it and have no clue really do you?'' - it doesn't really take a genius to work out that you might have to run after a fleeing criminal, does it?

Well I've been to running club this morning so I'm not included in all this non running police officer bashing!

Parents of toddlers however.... Now, should they all be fit and achieving 11 on the bleep test to be able to be a decent parent?? After all, toddlers are fast...

Strength is probably more needed than stamina for restraining safely. Crims are generally a bit stupid, so if you don't catch them by running after them they are usually easy to find.

I should point out I wasn't an officer, but worked with them.

A fleeing criminal?? Ahh yes, shoplifters! Hmm, it's usually the store security guard that gets dibs on that one.

It's really not all starsky and hutch you know

Really soul sister?? Thanks for telling me that after 11 years service in a scottish force!

Don't assume if I don't agree with you then I can't also be an officer lol