Posted on 11/04/2006 11:16:04 AM PST by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
WINTER HAVEN, Fla. (UPI) -- A Florida police chief who sent members of his department an e-mail complaining about lack of physical fitness has been forced to resign.
The memo from Paul Goward, head of the police department in Winter Haven, had as its subject line "Are you a jelly belly?" the Orlando Sentinel reported.
"As I look around the department I see a disconcerting number of us that appear physically challenged with obesity and/or a general lack of physical fitness," Goward told his officers.
In the e-mail, he said overweight police officers give a poor public impression and have a harder time doing their jobs. He urged the officers to lose weight, exercise, quit smoking and limit their drinking.
City officials said they received two anonymous complaints.
The longer complaint talked of poor morale and called the e-mail "icing on the cake." The other asked, "Is this the type of leader that you have working for the City of Winter Haven?"
Goward said he did not regret sending the e-mail.
The Jellybellies need to get over it.
Aren't there PT tests they have to pass?
Good advice, Chief.
As far as I'm concerned, cops should be in shape just like soldiers.
I think the better question would be, "IS THIS THE KIND OF POLICE FORCE YOU WANT WORKING IN THE CITY OF WINTER HAVEN?????"
Unbelieveable!!!
You mean that the chief can't set standards for his department? A policeman looks fat anyway with the form fitting uniforms and the bulletproof vests, and , IMHO, a policeman who can not run, disarm, and take down perps is a danger to himself, his fellow officers, and the public.
Years ago, we used to say to the troops in the Army 'SHAPE UP OR SHIP OUT". I guess we would have to say today "Have a donut and a coke while we talk about you physical fitness".
This is just crazy. The chief is right so they fire him. Well, *that's* great for morale.
Well, I guess if I was a hopeless, lardass loser, my "morale" would go down if my boss had to audacity to suggest that I get into shape.
Fat cops do not install confidence in law enforcement. If I were a criminal, I'd be fairly certain I could outrun an overweight cop. However, I guess the objective is no to keep the public safe, but to make sure no one gets their feeling hurt. This is indicative of how we are slowly turning into a nation of spineless, emotional lardbags.
Somedays, I wonder: What happened to the American I remember?
This guy is destined for a better job in my opinion.
Could use people like him higher up.
Issue #1: Really? The mods must have removed that one, because I sure didn't create the link from thin air.
Issue #2: This feel-good PC crap has got to stop. Insisting on physically fit cops?!? How dare they?!? /s
In a footrace, if I ran from 75% of the cops I see today, I will lose them within 60 seconds or less.
"Spineless emotional lardbags" is excellent wordcraft, IMO. Nice work!
Fat chance.
It is a lot cheaper to have a cop in shape and on duty than out of shape, on disability, and racking up medical bills at taxpayer expense.
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