P-1 Members sound off: Was fitness-promoting Chief out of line?

When Paul Goward, the recently resigned Chief of Winter Haven (FL) PD, decided to tell his officers it was time for them to candidly evaluate their level of fitness and decide whether they were a “jelly belly” in need of shaping up, he predicted a few officers might not be pleased. He didn’t, however, expect to be pressured out of his job after a few officers complained to the city council.

When the incident drew the attention of the national media, we decided to ask Police Members what they thought about the situation. [Read Was chief out of line for telling his officers to get fit?]

Immediately, officers from around the world began e-mailing Police1, mostly in support of the Chief.

Below are just a few of the scores of responses we received: