Impressive and unimpressive Cops.

[Silver Fox]

Not long ago, I went down to the mall to pick up a gift and a cup of Starbucks.
On my way out I met this tall, slim and muscular bicycle Cop, who probably weighed about 200-210 pounds. His uniform was immaculate, had a GI haircut, was clean shaved and nodded with a friendly boyish smile. The mall crowd were staring at him in awe.The thing that startled me was his height, as he was close to 7' tall. I'm a little taller than the average guy, at 6'3" (was 6'4" before age took it's toll) and my eyes struck him about chest level. IMO, he was the perfect specimen, of what a Cop should look like.
Now, for the complete opposite.
My wife and I had gone to a Golden Corral a few weeks ago for dinner. There were 5 deputy sheriff's eating at the time we got there and left before we were finished
As they were leaving, I noticed that three were about average size, but the other two, who looked to be in their early to mid 30's were stout, in other words FAT, :eek: with flabby stomaches hanging over their belts; and if they were to bend over, stitches and buttons would pop.
I thought to myself, if those 2 had to move quickly they'd really be in serious trouble.

[Upandatem]

I'd put the two out of shape guys on bike patrol (or beat) for a summer or two with a physically fit partner. I'd also offer them some assistance in proper diet. But hey, that's just me and I'm not an LEO.

[drummer-eman]

This was a topic when I was in the academy, How much does Look or outward appearance affect publics attitude towards us. Something like that.
Guy in class said I was at pizza shop the other day and was walking around outside wating for my order. I looked into a resataurant next door and saw this Huge, No HUGE female cop, napkin in her shirt, bent over TROUGHING at a rack of ribs... He said it was disappointing...Bad image......

[Switchback]

There is no doubt about it, image DOES matter. It is not a coincidence that some guys in my office have more runners and fighters than others. The bandits look at the DUSM and think, "Yeah, I can outrun them", etc.

With that being said, we shuoldn't jsut ditch the old, fat guys. Some, NOT ALL, are smart enough to put themselves in positions where they don't need to run... they bring a lot of experience and know-how to the table.

Then there are those LEOs who bring very little to the table... they get promoted to be our bosses. LOL Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[sparty]

Then there are those LEOs who bring very little to the table... they get promoted to be our bosses. LOL Sorry, I couldn't resist.

I have some bosses who resemble that remark.

[Silver Fox]

>>we shuoldn't jsut ditch the old, fat guys.<<

When is early to mid 30's old??..:confused:

>>they bring a lot of experience and know-how to the table.<<

Yep, on how to eat and BIG appetites.

>>Then there are those LEOs who bring very little to the table<<

Yep, a small appetite, but BIG on common sense and knowledge.

>>they get promoted to be our bosses<<

It's sad when politics plays a part in LE. In MOST Depts. promotion is based on education, experience and test results...

[Mike Romeo]

I have come in contact with a few Officers that would not last in a foot pursuit with me, but their other talents (from experience) could run circles around me. Some (in my humble opinion) should not be in the uniform, but it's hard to voice judgement on an Officer that, even though overweight, would run code to me if I was getting my *** handed to me.

Besides, I'm way too Junior to start shooting my mouth off about professional appearance to Senior Officers. However (coma), check back with me in a few years concerning the same subject. ;)

[troysig]

I have come in contact with a few Officers that would not last in a foot pursuit with me, but their other talents (from experience) could run circles around me. Some (in my humble opinion) should not be in the uniform, but it's hard to voice judgement on an Officer that, even though overweight, would run code to me if I was getting my *** handed to me.

Besides, I'm way too Junior to start shooting my mouth off about professional appearance to Senior Officers. However (coma), check back with me in a few years concerning the same subject. ;)

I hear ya on being the young buck, Our third shift guy looked horrible. Luckily a lot of departments are going to the physical fitness incentive. If health doesn't affect the way you look maybe money will.;)

[Super Six 5]

Not knowing their personal histories nor having seen their ability to do their job, who are you to judge them because they carry some extra weight?

[michiganstud]

My wife and I had gone to a Golden Corral a few weeks ago for dinner. There were 5 deputy sheriff's eating at the time we got there and left before we were finished
As they were leaving, I noticed that three were about average size, but the other two, who looked to be in their early to mid 30's were stout, in other words FAT, :eek: with flabby stomaches hanging over their belts; and if they were to bend over, stitches and buttons would pop.

Its a county thing :D

[Silver Fox]

The thread wasn't meant to imply that an LEO, whether fat or thin, was more or less qualified to be a leader or a superior officer.
It was meant to project a law enforcement image and health issue, as to whether a slim and healthty LEO presented a better image to the public and is more qualified, healthwise to withstand the rigors and physical challenges of a LEO and vice versa.
IMO, today's Cop should be as well, if not better, armed and as physically fit as his opponent.

[Mike Romeo]

Its a county thing :D

LMAO!!

[jhf4083]

A lot of people would say my dad isn't the ideal looking police officer. He's 6'1" and weighs 250-260 lbs at a young age of 44. He's got a gut, but he's not "fat".

However, his department requires all officers take PFT's every year. He passes them every year, same as he did in the Marines for 21 years.

I can tell you right now I would rather have someone his build back me up than somebody my own size (5'10" 170 lbs). Heck, I'm bigger/taller than a lot of the officers he works with everyday.

Granted, my dad is getting older and I'd like to see him retire soon, but I've seen him man-handle people a lot bigger than him that two smaller officers combined couldn't stop.

As long as the officer can do the job and not put anybody at risk, I don't care what they look like. The public may form an opinion based on image, but ask them how they feel about the "fat" cop after he finds their child, protects their home/business, saves their life, or just gives them helpful directions.

[Super Six 5]

The thread wasn't meant to imply that an LEO, whether fat or thin, was more or less qualified to be a leader or a superior officer.
It was meant to project a law enforcement image and health issue, as to whether a slim and healthty LEO presented a better image to the public and is more qualified, healthwise to withstand the rigors and physical challenges of a LEO and vice versa.
IMO, today's Cop should be as well, if not better, armed and as physically fit as his opponent.

I can appreciate that. Thanks for clarifying your intentions. Cops are human. We come in all different shapes and sizes.

I personally am a big guy and right now I'm carrying about 50 pounds of excess un-need(and unwanted) weight. Dropping it is easier for some people, harder for others. It's something to work towards but I don't want to do it because of what someone thinks of me in uniform. The health factor and my own personal happiness is what drives me. I could care less that Joe Schmo on the street thinks I should look a different way. Know what I'm saying?

[troysig]

My intentions weren't ever to look bad upon fellow LEOs. My response was to the Tall guy with clean shave and clean cut hair. Our former third shift guy is smaller then me but He hardly never shaved, hi uniform is wrinkled all the time, hair a mess. His hat had sweat bands visible when he wore it. That to me is unimpressive.