What do you think about police officers who are out of shape?

I think they should be in good physical shape. You never know when they will be needed for a physical chase. This should be a requirement of the job in my opinion. It also takes away from the quickness of reactions with them being over weight and/or out of shape.

I agree that police offciers need to be in shape, but I have a very similar job and it ain't that easy. It seems that the real secret to policing is diffusing the situation.

I do think that if they are on patrol, whether walking OR driving, then they should keep themselves in good shape so that they can do what's necessary when apprehending a criminal. I know they probably are affected by the same non-discrimination laws as the rest of the public, but it's not right, nor is it safe! If they're that out of shape they can't run, or are so heavy they can't do their job, then yes, I absolutely think that the rules shouldn't apply to them. Police work is often very strenuous work. If they can't run are they only going to rely on their weapon to stop a criminal? Seems to me they are not only risking their health from a possible heart attack (like while in pursuit) but they are also risking the safety of individuals who they are supposed to be helping. I could be wrong, but that's how I feel about it.

Hummm here I thought the police went to Tim Hortons for coffee, apparently they have donuts too!!! Yes absolutely I think the police officers should be in shape to defend. It should be a given.

And here I thought when they went to Tim Hortons it was just for coffee. Hummm guess they like the donuts too. I certainly do feel that all police officers should be in excellent physical shape so they can be in a position to defend.

It is not shape but carry out the work is impprtant

I agree with you here. I want my cops to be fit and active. Not that we have any terrible crime here, but if there was an emergency I would want them to be able to respond to a crisis in a really fit way.

Yes I think the cops should be physically healthy and in shape..How can they run after the bad guys if they are so out of shape..Here in our country I see big bellied cops who I don't think would be able to ran after the bad guys with their big belly bulging out from drinking too much when they are off duty. Cops should be told to exercise and be physically fit. Just like the soldiers. They should have more trainings.

I thought they had to do a strict exercise program to stay fit so they could chase the bad guys. LOL I dont think they should be able to be an active duty if they cant run, jump, etc.

To be honest I think if you are going to be in that profession you should be in shape to handle the job. After all, ppl look up to you (especially kids) as a role model. **AT PEACE WITHIN** ~~STAND STRONG IN YOUR BELIEFS~~

The situation is similar here but first thing first, are you talking about the real police? Over here, the uniform for the real police and normal security guards are very similar. The out of shape ones are mostly the ones for security. Yes they are out of shape because they don't take their jobs very seriously anyway. They are just in for the money and/or because they can't find jobs elsewhere.

Hi, That is another one with shape that do not fit. Any how may they have brain. I do hope more well fit police and well mannered police officer are well be there. Still more well mannered officer are given priority. Shape do matter when it comes to need and in case of police officer that need may come at any time.

They most certainaly should be required to stay in shape as per their age. My son went through the academy 5 years ago and he was first in his class in the physical department. They really worked them hard, but once out of academy, they don't seem to care! I'll never forget driving along and seeing this motor office drive up beside me (at a light) and stop next to me---- I did a triple take as he was so, no offense, but plain just fat, that I had to look a few times just to see how the heck he was able to sit on that motorcycle and the motorcyle support him and move very fast! I have several friends that are officers and they are all over weight and middle drawers hanging over the belts - how they handle that with all the things htey have to hook on their belts - I just dont' see how they can even breath!!! I remember few years ago a police dept somewhere in florida had a captain that put into action a demand that ALL officers, including himself, go on diets or whatever, but they all had to loose at least 50 lbs (or something like that). He implimented the program and good nutrition, exercise,e verything but having Jenny Craig come give a pep talk! He did it and lost like 30 lbs or so, but he was the only one. You know that all the officers ralleyed against him, the whole city was in an uproar and he was fired because they said he violate their civil rights by requiring them to loose weight! The city fired him! Grips me every time I remember that... here the guy was doing his best to protect the city and its people and they fired him. Go figure

May be we should send some proposal to the Government that all the polices should be trained at least one time every week.

I'm not sure what the standards are in your country but here, in the UK, all police establishments have their own health club, and I've rarely seen an "out of shape" policeman here. I think they all physically train regularly, whether it's in their physical standards policies or not. The trend here, at present, is towards physical fitness anyway. I failed, but as I said, I've never seen an unfit policeman. I think maybe if that's the case in your country, the Force ought to adopt a physical fitness regime, even if only for their own safety and well-being. Brightest Blessings.

I always thought they had to be in good shape but apparently I was mistaken...lol I have seen some pretty hefty cops and I am sure they couldn't run more than a block if that,..hehe I actually saw a cop last year in another town almost too big to fit behind the wheel, You should have seen him trying to get out of the cruiser in a hurry. I was laughing my butt off. I have not noticed many state police being big, but some of these town cops ...whew. There certainly should be some kind of standard. Most likely there are standards that just aren't followed.

I think hey should start making themselves physically fit. How can they run after the criminals if they are not physically fit. I have seen so many police officers who have big tummy and is very obvious that they are having a hard time walking with their weight.

Many police officers are out of shape nowadays. I think they should be in good physical fitness. They should have the stamina and energy like those of athletes. This is to ensure, if they need to do some chasing, they will be able to do so without any problems.

OMG just picturing this is very funny and yet very sad. Police officers should be in shape and are required to be in shape. That unit is breaking the rules and their chief will eventually be held accountable. Those are officers who after many years see being a cop as just a JOB and dont care anymore. They are just doing their time until retirement. I can picture the box of krispy creme donuts! LOL

We watch many programmes on tele that document police forces in different countries, the camera crews go out and about with the police. Me and my husband have watched in amazement at the size of some of the police officers, and how on earth do they run after criminals without having a heart attack! They should be in shape I sometimes dont see how they can do their jobs to their full capabilities when they are so unfit.