Hopefully, if you are in need of a police officer, they will be healthy enough to assist you.
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lIf you watch the popular show Cops or have taken a look around at the police officers in your neighborhood you have probably seen more than a few overweight officers of the law. Although the majority aren't the doughnut eating, coffee drinking, lazy people they are frequently made out to be on television, many are overweight or even obese nonetheless. Police officers must complete and pass some kind of physical training or physical standard in order to become a cop. Should they then be subjected to meet physical or weight standards or regulations continually in order to maintain their badge wearing rights?
It is obvious that police officers need to be physically fit in order to carry out their duties to the best of their ability, or they wouldn't face such standards before being hired. An overweight cop not only endangers society, suspects, and themselves, but also poses liability risks. Not the mention the consequences their employers face such as higher health care costs, more paid time off, and a bad image.
When a police officer is not in good physical health it can mean the difference between catching a fugitive and the fugitive getting a clean getaway. Suspects may also be more likely to try and flee or resist arrest if they feel that the officer is not going to be able to pursue or defend themselves successfully. This may lead the officer to use a more violent force than would have been necessary had the officer been able to diffuse the situation. The officer may even be forced to use a weapon if he/she is not able to defend himself/herself or apprehend a suspect through physical means.
Overweight police officers cost all of us more money. They are more likely to sustain work related injuries and non work related injuries. Just as any overweight person is more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke, add being overweight to the stress and unhealthy eating that is frequently part of the job and you may end up with a ticking time bomb. This results in more time off and a less productive work force.
It is obvious that police officers need to be physically fit in order to carry out their duties to the best of their ability, or they wouldn't face such standards before being hired. An overweight cop not only endangers society, suspects, and themselves, but also poses liability risks. Not the mention the consequences their employers face such as higher health care costs, more paid time off, and a bad image.
When a police officer is not in good physical health it can mean the difference between catching a fugitive and the fugitive getting a clean getaway. Suspects may also be more likely to try and flee or resist arrest if they feel that the officer is not going to be able to pursue or defend themselves successfully. This may lead the officer to use a more violent force than would have been necessary had the officer been able to diffuse the situation. The officer may even be forced to use a weapon if he/she is not able to defend himself/herself or apprehend a suspect through physical means.
Overweight police officers cost all of us more money. They are more likely to sustain work related injuries and non work related injuries. Just as any overweight person is more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke, add being overweight to the stress and unhealthy eating that is frequently part of the job and you may end up with a ticking time bomb. This results in more time off and a less productive work force.
Comments
Oktex, while I agree with you that being a police officer is not all about chasing suspects, all of the points you made should require a police officer to maintain his fitness. Traffic stops can and do turn deadly everyday. The ability of an officer to defend himself and prevent a person from fleeing and harming other motorists or anyone else during a traffic stop is important. Being a key member of society, one that children everywhere look up to, it is a good being a good role model to take care of yourself and maintain your health. Answering and dealing with domestic disputes, a police officers should also have the ability to defend the person in question if it comes down to it and apprehend the suspect if need be. Being able to deal with people is just one key part of the job. While many cops may not encounter a serious situation in small towns frequently, the potential is there. Just as many members of the military may not see war, they must maintain their health, fitness,
Oktex
(Guest)
(Guest)
12/22/2008
Actually.. what you don't realize is in a lot of cities being a cop is just not about chasing down suspects. It's making traffic stops, educating the community and resolving domestic calls... what makes a good cop is one who can deal with people well.
Kalar, I commend your husband for his dedication to staying fit. Any job should require you to give your all and be able to do it to the best of your ability. Especially when other people are relying on you to keep them safe! I would like to thank him for helping keep our country safe, and thank you for being able to support such a hard job!
You make great points. My husband is a *very* fit cop, ran cross country, still runs and lifts regularly, and is the go-to cop for running down suspects. He has even been in a foot chase where he was running, suspect was on a bike, and still managed to catch the guy. He sees this problem frequently. Smoking cops raise some of the same concerns.
I think they should be fit and ready for anything. Honestly an overweight cop cant haul ass after a suspect without probably falling down after a mile if on foot... I definitely think cops, firefighters, anyone who has to to something this important should have rules when it comes to their weight, etc.
This is a good article, and it's something I've thought about. I've seen quite a few police officers that would be considered obese by medical standards, and I wonder how they can perform many of their required duties. You'd think there would be some stipulation on weight as well as a required level of physical fitness. I guess if they can pass a physical it doesn't matter how much they weight. I don't think that's good for their safety or the safety of those they're suppose to protect. Very good points.
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