Police officers here in the UK will soon be required to take annual fitness tests in order to make sure that they are complying with a standardised expected amount of weight loss. The decision was made as a result of figures from a new study which showed that up to three quarters of the force were overweight and obese in certain areas over the UK. So far, weight has never been assessed or taken in consideration for the duration of the officer’s career. The study’s author has suggested that annual fitness tests are a requirement and that today it is more important than ever considering increasingly the police use cars to travel around their cities instead of walking on the beat like they once did thus lending to an unhealthier, more sedentary lifestyle.
Examinations carried out last year revealed that 52% of the male officers were considered overweight and this was also the case for 32% of the female officers. It was reported that among male and female officers, 22% and 32% were obese respectively. 1% of male officers were deemed morbidly obese and among the female officers 2% were considered morbidly obese.
Not only are they setting a bad example for the general public who are also living increasingly unhealthy and sedentary lifestyles but also they are putting an obstacle between themselves and the criminal they are trying to catch, thus putting themselves and their public at risk. This is why the author of the study would like fitness tests to become a mandatory annual event that will involve such tests of strength and stamina as completing an assault course within a certain length of time.
It is not being suggested that the force should be composed of Batman and Robin figures but rather employing men and women who are healthy enough not to be considered putting themselves or their public at risk as a result of how overweight or unfit they may be. We don’t want to have a rant at the police, who have a tough enough job as it is, but some jobs do require a certain level of fitness and pursuing criminals is one of those activities!