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THE HEAD OF the Metropolitan Police has said that some officers need to lose weight or else risk losing their jobs.
In a interview with Radio Times, Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe said unfit police men and women who repeatedly fail fitness tests should face sanctions and possibly be fired.
Hogan-Howe (57) said he had recently passed the annual 15m (49ft) shuttle run ‘bleep’ test with “no preparation”.
“For me, the standard is too low: I think it should be higher. It’s relatively easy to pass.”
Police who failed the test will be given time to lose weight and get fitter, but “If they don’t, then we haven’t got a job for them,” Hogan-Howe said.
I think you’ve got a duty to your colleagues. If they shout for help, they want fit people to come. They don’t want somebody waddling down the road who’s never going to arrive, and when they get there they’re out of breath.
Mandatory annual fitness tests came into force in England and Wales in 2014 following a review by Chief Inspector of Constabulary Sir Tom Winsor.
The Police Federation told the BBC a number of officers have failed the tests but none have been dismissed yet.
“It’s taken too long to get the annual test, but it will start to have an increasing impact,” Hogan-Howe stated.
The BBC notes that interim findings indicate a success rate across forces in England and Wales of about 97%.
The College of Policing said that if an officer fails they should be allowed at least two retakes before disciplinary measures are considered – whereas Winsor wants the test to be more stringent.
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It’s a job in which fitness is crucial to their ability to perform the job and so yea there should be a huge emphasis on actually having a workforce capable of carrying out their job.
If you ask me fitness tests should also be a part of regular office jobs too, we should live in a world where it isn’t such a horrible thing to be encouraged to be as healthy as possible.
Proper order
Sure all the Police Chief has to worry about is making sure he fits behind his desk. When was the last time a chief led from the front and ran anywhere?
Apparently you didn’t read the article ?
Yeah I think that the Chiefs point! Even he could pass it
I wonder what percentage of Journal commentators would pass. .
Saw 3 undercover chappies running after a lad down the quays in Dublin last year…needless to say, he was able to literally walk away after 300 yards of chasing as our Finest were doubled over, breathless and verging on collapse…funny to watch, awful to contemplate as our alleged protectors!!!
I’d say that’s a lie
Nope…have it on video actually Jayo:-). 3rd Dec 2014 @ 15.38 to 15.41…Look at it when I need a laugh…
What an interning life you must lead Randle!
The unions here will have to draft up a Waddling Road agreement.
Waddling fat piggies
Was in UK recently & I saw cops wearing beards & glasses which made them to look like an idiot.
Cool story.
Here’s mine: I saw a nun buying ice cream today. It was funny.
How could several people look like one particular idiot?
It’s a small percentage who are unfit. Cast your memories back into ages past, in a time before smart watches, and the heroic deeds of some cork based gardaí – http://www.thejournal.ie/tralee-jewellery-theft-1162501-Nov2013/
Fat piggy couldn’t run fast or far enough
Do AGS have an annual fitness test?
No.
Everytime I see some of the met police’s finest there’s always a couple of fat ones!
Bloody right he is to!
I thought it was the wolf who huffed and puffed!
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