Poll: Should Overweight State Troopers Lose Their Jobs?
By: Stepfanie Romine,
DailySpark Blogger
6/10/2009 2:15 PM
: 480 comments
In Ohio, state troopers are fighting a rule that lets those officers who repeatedly exceed weight limits be dismissed from their jobs until they shed the extra pounds.
According to this Associated Press story:
"No too-heavy Ohio troopers or sergeants have been fired in recent years, but at least 11 have received verbal or written reprimands since January for weighing too much, Department of Public Safety records show. One trooper was 48 pounds over his allowable weight, while another was 40 pounds beyond the maximum.
Union negotiators who began contract talks with the state last month want the rule done away with."
Law enforcement is a profession of physical extremes: Police officers and state troopers--in addition to risking their lives to protect and serve the public each day--spend most of their shifts sitting at desks or in patrol cars but must be ready to run, tackle and outmaneuver suspects.
Those who work night or swing shifts--as law-enforcement officers frequently do--face troubles with sleep, and studies have found that night work is hard on the heart. In short, it's not an easy job.
The policy in Ohio dismisses troopers who have failed height-weight requirements for 24 months. Those who don't meet the requirements can be exempted if they pass physical fitness tests.
What do you think about this policy? Should the troopers, who have two years to shape up before being dismissed, lose their jobs? (They can return to work if and when they lose weight.) Should certain jobs have weight limits?
This policy is different from the weight limits imposed for aesthetic reasons (usually upon women). As a law-enforcement officer, a state trooper must be physically active with little notice. However, should a weight limit be imposed in any field?
Is this discrimination? Should the troopers be allowed to keep their jobs?
What repercussions should they face for not meeting the height-weight requirements? And while it's likely not feasible in these tough economic times, should the state be required to provide counseling and fitness or nutrition help for the troopers?
How would you help the troopers shape up? Would you let them keep their jobs? Are there any other fields where you think weight discrimination is acceptable or even necessary?
According to this Associated Press story:
"No too-heavy Ohio troopers or sergeants have been fired in recent years, but at least 11 have received verbal or written reprimands since January for weighing too much, Department of Public Safety records show. One trooper was 48 pounds over his allowable weight, while another was 40 pounds beyond the maximum.
Union negotiators who began contract talks with the state last month want the rule done away with."
Law enforcement is a profession of physical extremes: Police officers and state troopers--in addition to risking their lives to protect and serve the public each day--spend most of their shifts sitting at desks or in patrol cars but must be ready to run, tackle and outmaneuver suspects.
Those who work night or swing shifts--as law-enforcement officers frequently do--face troubles with sleep, and studies have found that night work is hard on the heart. In short, it's not an easy job.
The policy in Ohio dismisses troopers who have failed height-weight requirements for 24 months. Those who don't meet the requirements can be exempted if they pass physical fitness tests.
What do you think about this policy? Should the troopers, who have two years to shape up before being dismissed, lose their jobs? (They can return to work if and when they lose weight.) Should certain jobs have weight limits?
This policy is different from the weight limits imposed for aesthetic reasons (usually upon women). As a law-enforcement officer, a state trooper must be physically active with little notice. However, should a weight limit be imposed in any field?
Is this discrimination? Should the troopers be allowed to keep their jobs?
What repercussions should they face for not meeting the height-weight requirements? And while it's likely not feasible in these tough economic times, should the state be required to provide counseling and fitness or nutrition help for the troopers?
How would you help the troopers shape up? Would you let them keep their jobs? Are there any other fields where you think weight discrimination is acceptable or even necessary?
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Comments
Much like the military, the state patrol has elements of their job that could be very physical and lives could be on the line.
When you look at the cost the State Patrol must invest in training an officer, I can understand why they need to ensure that their officers are in the best shape and health so they can serve as long as possible.
It sounds mean, it sounds unfair. But I have to agree with the state patrol , their officers need to be in good physical shape - 1/14/2013 6:23:18 PM
1) are they eating to stay awake
2) are they placed at locations where they are too tempted by food
3) are they eating out of stress
4) is it because unhealthier food is a much cheaper choice
5) etc
The KEY IS TO UNDERSTAND THEM FIRST. - 6/9/2012 11:05:24 AM
No,I do not think they should lose their jobs.Incentives for doing better (help getting
there) & possibley higher insurance rates down the road IF they choose NOT to try. - 11/6/2011 6:03:29 AM
One example: my boyfriend is working on his physical fitness to get hired as an officer and make it through Police Academy. His bmi is definitely higher than most would consider healthy, but he can run, jump, crawl, and whatnot enough to pass a physical fitness test (or will by the time he has to go to the Academy). Sometimes you can't tell a person's physical fitness soley based on bmi. - 10/5/2011 9:49:53 PM
Really I think it should be based all on a physicall fitness test, irrespective of weight! Singling people out based on weight is stupid, but checking that officers are up to the job seems logical.
I would also expect them to be giving plenty of support to help them keep up to this of course. (As I have no idea what kind of fitness facilities or support you can expect, so they might already :3)
I would check officers irrespective of weight. A good example is my army friend who when we had to walk up several flights of stairs was winded before the rest of us, he probably was the only one who had an 'ideal' weight out of the group, but his lack of recent physical activity and having started smoking more after joining the army had taken it's toll on his ability to preform cardio tasks.
I think this is one other reason why more foot police and cycle police makes sense too, it keeps them active alongside all the other benefits to having a visible police presence outside of cars. (Obviously some areas this is more applicable than others, but I've often found that police being about on foot has disarmed many nasty situations in my past at least :) ) - 5/3/2011 7:45:22 AM
Really...This shouldn't be a question up for debate. Some officers get winded just getting out of the car. I know I've seen some officers around town...and I just hope that they would not be the one sent out to protect me. Sad but true.
I don't think they should lose their job if they are trying and by trying, I mean really working at it.
They, above all, should be setting an example of how it's important to stay in shape. They had to pass a physical exam to get the job...maybe they should have to pass a yearly exam to keep the job...that way any unneeded weight gain should be nipped in the bud early. - 5/3/2011 6:45:22 AM
The article stated if they passed the physical fitness test they would be exempt. All of the troopers no matter what their size should also pass this test to keep their jobs. I wouldn't want some skinny person that can't pass the fitness test out there protecting me. - 3/9/2011 1:30:54 PM
They're endangering their own health as well as the health of potential victims of crime if they can't physically keep up with the demands of the job.
I say, put them on unpaid leave until they can meet the requirements again. Might sound harsh, but it'd definately provide the impertus they need to drop the weight. - 2/24/2011 7:35:16 PM
- 2/7/2011 10:11:10 AM
However, the current judgments of healthy weight based solely on height are WAY off. Per my height I should weigh about 140 lbs. I can tell you right now I would have to be anorexic, and LOOK anorexic to achieve that weight on my larger bone frame. I had my body fat percentage measured when I weighed 175 and was judged to have the ideal amount of body fat for my age, sex, and height.
Another consideration that BMI loses is MUSCLE. Muscle weighs more than fat, so an officer with great muscles who is in perfect shape, could be judged overweight based on BMI alone. FAIL. - 10/29/2010 2:05:56 PM
- 7/1/2010 9:19:32 AM
(I also think part of the law enforcement is to be good role models) - 6/30/2010 1:16:54 PM
If you are very muscular you will weigh more, at the time I was 155 solid muscle and wore a size 6, I am 5'7".
Way to many factors involved if you can perform the physical requirements and you are a good LEO your weight should not be a factor. Apperances can be very decieving. - 5/19/2010 12:20:38 PM
I'm glad a physical fitness test is part of the equation- there are people whose BMI is in the healthy range but who couldn't do what's required of those state troopers (I'd say most people!), and there must be people who weigh more than is recommended but who do a fine job at it. - 3/31/2010 6:53:48 AM
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