Should law enforcement officers be in decent shape?

[LisaR]

I am not suggesting that they need 6-pack abs, I am just talking about being in decent shape.

I was at the grocery store and a teen apparently stole something. A deputy came to investigate. I will probably get slammed for this but I haven't seen anyone that overweight unless they were on Biggest Loser.

He was not just big-boned and I know overweight people can be strong. This guy was huffing and puffing and all he did was walk into the store! If the teen would have fled, there wasn't any way this guy could have caught him.

I have been thinking about this all day. He would be the last person I would want to show up if I was in danger. This guy really belonged on desk duty.

Do law enforcement officers have to pass a yearly physical test?

 

[livie1205]

I think they should, my dh is LEO and he makes a point to stay in shape.He does not have to take a fitness test every year but he stays in shape on his own....I do not know about other places but i think after they get through the acadamy they are clear, and unless it hurts his job they are good.I think if they can do their job in a safe and fast manner they are ok.

 

[AKL_Megs]

My DH is also a cop. While he is in shape and works to keep it that way, I know there are MANY a cop out there who are in need of some work... or working out. Unfortunately, I don't think departments do much to help KEEP their officers in shape. I know that at many departments in this area, the exercise equipment provided at the stations is substandard... IMO, they should offer free memberships to fitness clubs or something.

 

[disneymarie]

Its a rumour about the donuts....

Well, when you drive and patrol much of your life, not much need to get out and run someone down. You brain is your most important weapon,
In PA there is the Heart and Lung Act because so many officers have heart problems from the stress and lack of physical work on duty, Unless you are in a huge city,

As a women getting older, I had thyroid problems, and also a child at age 41,
Oh, try and do a waist gun holster at 7 months pregnant.
But, really unless they are just out of the academy, or health nuts, most older cops don't get the Freshman 15 it is more like the Fat/fit fifty..you are either fat or fit,.,
OR pregnant,..I guess he was not pregnant. But, if I had to choose, I would want someone that was going to get me out alive, use his brains not brawn, and good shooter if needed, and not if not needed.
Really to chase a kid down that may jump a fences or run into the street is not smart over a small item.
Getting a good discription of something identifiable, like a tshirt saying, jacket type, bike, color of sneaks,

Like a case I had, a young male, long thin light hair, shorts with a orange stripe on the side a logo, T shirt that had an identifiable marking . He was picked up a few blocks away with a group of kids at a business lot.
with out incident

 

[DisneyFed]

Oh boy, here we go....I might get flamed a little <<pulling on Nomex flight suit>> but since I've carried a badge for 18 years, I think I'm entitled to my opinion

Short answer is, yes they should, even if for their own good---but it's faaar more complicated than that...and it seems to really be generational when it comes to the cops themselves...

Waaaaaaaaay back when I started out as a State Trooper..you were expected to maintain a "presence" for the public--not to mention being out on the Interstate Highway (95) in the middle of the night by yourself, and possibly having to fight it out with somebody.....but even back then, the younger guys (and most of the older guys) were the one's in the best shape, and only a few really out of shape dudes (not all of whom were older)...I found me to be much more comfortable, and far less fatigued when I was "Trooper Fit", but then again, I was 21 years old too

Fast forward a few years, and I'm working at a local PD (we had a round of "cutbacks" at our Highway Patrol--guess who was one of those) Anyway, it was at a Southern PD (and I'm Southern so.....) and it seemed like MANY MORE guys were out of shape--some overly so......I mean, really walking heart attacks--one guy even got pulled off the bike during a stress test because he went into A-fib....

Now, don't get me wrong, there've been times when I would balance a Double Quarter Pounder with Cheese, Extra Large Order of Fries, Super Sized Coke and a large chocolate shake and maintain diligent patrol And I got (get) a little soft around the middle too...

But in the long run, in our line of work, I think you feel better, and stay less fatigued when you're in shape...

It seemed like a lot of the "new" and younger guys were in better shape, and seemed to care more about it, but there were always exceptions to this--I had one Captain I worked for, man, you did not want to PT with that guy (he was 30 years my senior), you'd die

SWAT and operational guys also stay in pretty good shape--when you carry heavy armor and rifles, you have to stay in shape...

I myself stay in as best shape I can, but it's getting harder as I get older....

Now, that is NOT to say those "less fit" guys aren't good cops...like the Chief says, brains are more important in Law Enforcement than brawn (might be hard to believe but it's true). Best cop I EVER worked with, and the guy I learned the most from as a young boot was a heavy, out of shape guy who drank like a fish and smoked two packs of cigarettes today, but man, he was sharp, and damn good at what he did.....

I'm now a Federal Agent on a SWAT/Deployment TEam, so I have to maintain some shape, but my particular agency does not have mandatory physical requirements (unlike another Agency I worked for which was very demanding), so we run the gamut of Fit and Unfit

Like Christmas Presents...good cops come in all sizes, shapes, packaging and wrappings...

Oh and Chief, Pregnancy, DOES NOT COUNT!!!!

 

[John VN]

Sad state of affairs when a state law requires the mandatory use of seat belts and some LEO's can not abide by this law because of physical size. Not a very good role model.

 

[DisneyFed]

Sad state of affairs when a state law requires the mandatory use of seat belts and some LEO's can not abide by this law because of physical size. Not a very good role model.

Hmmmm...I've never seen this, but I do know guys who just flat out didn't wear them..."But what if I have to get out in a hurry?" (which is Bull, but that was their excuse)...

I ALWAYS wear one, regardless---and so did (do) the guys who work for me...it was bad news for the boss to catch you without your seatbelt..My rationale to them was, I was not going to tell their wife/spouse/mother/significant other their loved one was dead because they didn't put on a freaking seatbelt...

 

[Uuaww]

I currently work side by side with law enforcement and think they should at least be able to do basic things like get up if they fall down, jog for 100 yards, keep shooting accuracy up. Personally, I hope to get in Secret Service some day.

 

[TwingleMum]

No I don't think there should be weight restrictions for cops. Very few cops I know are as overweight as you depict. Most cops are really hard on each other. They tease each other unmercifully about their weight, hair (or lack of) and whether or not they were able to get the perp to go on paper. I for one and violently opposed to big brother telling me how much I can weigh, what soda I can drink and what car I can drive. For now this is a free country. Unfortunately, ultimately that cop will pay a price for being overweight. He probably won't cost the pension system a lot of money. Also the nature of the job doesn't lend its self to a healthy life style, You are riding in a patrol car answering calls and 95% of the time are grabbing something quick in a drive thru that you can choke down between calls. Betting that you'll finish before a hot call goes out. And if you do sit down to eat somewhere thats a little healthier the looks you get (she/he should be out there getting bad guys , not relaxing eating a salad. ) Some of those older out of shape cops are a mine of info on whats happening in their sectors and can tell you who the likely dirt bags are that burglarized the nice old lady with the cat. And quite a few of them knew the little old lady who lived all alone and would regularily visit her because thats the kind of guy they are. Caring.

Should a cop be in good shape? Of course, the shifts , the adreniline and the stress of the job is better handled if your in good physical shape. But none of the parents I've helped when their kid was killed or their house was broken into cared that I wasn't a size 2. All they cared about was I was professional, compassionate and damn good at my job.

 

[Veronica Lodge]

IMHO, yes, they should be in decent shape. There should be an annual fitness test, as opposed to strict weight guidelines, but I would think that being obese would hinder your performance in an emergency.

There is one couny law enforcement officer I have seen several times around town and he is about 5'8" and looks to be 350+ lbs. He is not physically fit at all [he appears to get winded when he walk/waddles], and honestly I'd have a hard time relying on him to protect people if a situation with exigent circumstances occured.

 

[Bella the Ball 360]

Yes they should be in good shape as should firemen. It is a matter of saftey for both the officer and the public. We have some grossly overweight officers in my city and I would be afraid to even watch them chase someone.

 

[PatsGirl]

Absolutely! And flame away because I think basic fitness standards should apply to all police and fire personnel (as well as any other public-paid positions requiring physical work). I also think they should be drug-tested on a regular basis. While I agree with a pp that it is important that our police officers be quick thinking and intelligent, it is just as important that they be healthy! Some might call it discrimination, so be it. As for free gym memberships ~ gyms are not necessary to keep in shape and I would be VERY opposed to paying for this. There are many ways to stay in shape without working out in a gym. We are talking reasonably fit and healthy, not body-building physiques.

 

[LisaR]

No I don't think there should be weight restrictions for cops. Very few cops I know are as overweight as you depict. Most cops are really hard on each other. They tease each other unmercifully about their weight, hair (or lack of) and whether or not they were able to get the perp to go on paper. I for one and violently opposed to big brother telling me how much I can weigh, what soda I can drink and what car I can drive. For now this is a free country. Unfortunately, ultimately that cop will pay a price for being overweight. He probably won't cost the pension system a lot of money. Also the nature of the job doesn't lend its self to a healthy life style, You are riding in a patrol car answering calls and 95% of the time are grabbing something quick in a drive thru that you can choke down between calls. Betting that you'll finish before a hot call goes out. And if you do sit down to eat somewhere thats a little healthier the looks you get (she/he should be out there getting bad guys , not relaxing eating a salad. ) Some of those older out of shape cops are a mine of info on whats happening in their sectors and can tell you who the likely dirt bags are that burglarized the nice old lady with the cat. And quite a few of them knew the little old lady who lived all alone and would regularily visit her because thats the kind of guy they are. Caring.

Should a cop be in good shape? Of course, the shifts , the adreniline and the stress of the job is better handled if your in good physical shape. But none of the parents I've helped when their kid was killed or their house was broken into cared that I wasn't a size 2. All they cared about was I was professional, compassionate and damn good at my job.

Nowhere did I say "big brother" should dictate what an officer can or can't eat. I also never mentioned that I felt there should be "weight restrictions" and the idea that every officer needs to be a "size 2" is absurd. There really is an option between a size 2 and grossly obese.

I am not sure how expecting a LEO to be in "decent" shape takes away your freedom.

I would be shocked if this particular deputy that I referenced could pass a stress test or a health physical. I agree that he is of harm to himself (heart attack, etc) but he could easily be of harm to those he is assigned to protect if he has a heart attack in the middle of trying to save someone from a criminal.

 

[DisneyFan32WI]

I can't believe all the people in law enforcement on this board. Can we start our own thread? We really need one!
My DH just did his first triathlon this past weekend. He is 41. He is in great shape...perfect for chasing after all the bad guys that run on him!

 

[GeorgeG]

Most police officers I know and see on the streets are in pretty good shape. While staying in shape is a good goal for anyone, it's probably more important for officers who are on patrol and much more likely to get physical with the bad guys. There are a lot of law enforcement jobs that aren't as physically demanding, though.

I'm surpised to hear that many police agencies don't have physical requirements beyond initial employment. Even as a volunteer firefighter up in New York we were mandated to pass physicals on a regular basis. They were every five years for ages 18-29, every two years for ages 30-39, and every year for 40 and older. You don't have to be in great shape to pass, but you do have to be able to touch your toes without bending your knees, etc.. Also included are pulmonary function, EKG, and other basic physical tests. There used to be several levels (interior firefighter, exterior, driver, administrative) but has changed to the same requirement for anyone responding to a fire scene. I'm not sure if the physicals are mandated by the state or OSHA, but it doesn't make sense that police would be exempt.

There's even a Federal requirement for a medical certificate for commercial driver's licenses. I was always told my CDL wasn't valid without a current medical certificate.

 

[livie1205]

I can't believe all the people in law enforcement on this board. Can we start our own thread? We really need one!
My DH just did his first triathlon this past weekend. He is 41. He is in great shape...perfect for chasing after all the bad guys that run on him!

THAT IS A great IDEA...THE ONLY TIME PEOPLE REALLY TALK ABOUT COPS IS WHEN THEY ARE WHINING lol no one knows what it is like to live your life with this...the stress and the worry.

 

[ozarkmom]

My office overlooks our county courthouse and we have this discussion alot. Yes I think they should be fit. I know they have the guns, tazers etc. but what if they are in a foot chase? Our sheriff could never make an arrest he's 70 and can barely walk much less run. I could beat the crap out of him. Then several of our younger deputies and city police are extremely overweight. Sorry if any of this offends anyone but when the community is laughing at the local law enforcement because of their size then there is a problem.

 

[lustergirl]

Yes they should be in good shape as should firemen. It is a matter of saftey for both the officer and the public. We have some grossly overweight officers in my city and I would be afraid to even watch them chase someone.

I agree with you. We have a firehouse near my house and see the firemen all the time. Some of them are overweight. I think "I wouldn't want him running into save one of my loved ones, because they would never make it." Police or firefighters are people that we look up to and they should be held to high standards as being in shape.

 

[Scurvy]

I don't care a bit if they are overweight, and I don't care if they survive only on junk food. However, I absolutely think they should be fit enough to run to someone's aid or to chase someone down if needed. I would think that being grossly obese would probably make those things difficult. I agree with Veronica Lodge - they need to be able to pass an annual fitness test.

 

[starrzone]

I think there should be a basic fitness test for law enforcement officers who are in the position to possibly chase after subjects. Why not simulate a pursuit situation, and see how the officer handles it? If s/he doesn't pass, then perhaps s/he might rethink having to be in such a situation in "real life".

While an officer's prime asset is likely his or her mind, I think it's important to take care of your body too. You can't really have one working well and let the other wilt away. I know many people who are VERY intelligent but who are not fit in the least, and then others who let fitness and working out take over their lives so much that there's not much left up top. As well, lean does NOT necessarily equal fit. I have a friend who is 6'3" or so, and weighs about 150 pounds...there is NO way he would be even remotely fit enough to pursue a suspect on foot.