According to the Dallas Morning News, more than 200 state police officers will need to be slimmed down by the end of the year or face disciplinary action under controversial policies.
Curry Richmond / Curry RichmondSoldiers in more than 200 states need to be slimmed down or face disciplinary action by the end of the year. According to the Dallas Morning News, the announcement is under controversial policy, forcing the Texas Department of Public Safety to limit the size of officers’ waistlines.
The Dallas Morning News has received a document that men with waists over 40 inches and women over 35 inches need to track their weight loss efforts and share them with DPS. For those who do not reduce by December, DPS can not only refuse promotions and overtime, but also remove them from their enforcement obligations. This policy also applies if the officer has passed all other required physical fitness tests.
According to newspaper documents, one officer promised to “drink a glass of diet soda daily” and another promised to “significantly reduce sugar intake in all forms.”
The Dallas Morning News reports that department leaders argue that the central part of Trim is needed for executives to have a “presence” to take command in dealings with the general public. As of April, 213 of the approximately 4,000 executives did not meet Westline requirements.
Only two out of 213 failed a physical fitness test that allowed officers to choose between a boat test, a combat fitness rating, or a standard rating that included a one and a half mile run, push-ups, and abs. Officers are required to take a physical fitness test in spring and autumn.
Waist size is important for DPS, but officers whose waist is over the limit can pass using other measurements based on height and weight, or body fat percentage. If it is determined that the waist is too big, the officer will develop a fitness improvement plan to set diet and exercise goals. Officers are required to reduce their waist size according to the plan by December 1st.
