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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:

Officer Matt Darrah wrote:

“I worked for Chief Goward at the Horry County Police Department and he is absolutely right. Of all the attributes Police Officers need to have, thick skins and physical fitness are two of them…ranking right behind integrity. It sounds like the cops in Winter Haven are lacking in both of these.”

Officer Andrew Arena with the Delray Beach (FL) PD commented:

“I had the pleasure of meeting Chief Goward at a Citizens Police Academy conference in Winter Haven just 4 weeks ago. As an admitted ‘out-of-shape’ officer, I immediately took notice of Chief Goward’s physical appearance and even commented to one of the other attendees that ‘for a Chief, he’s very fit.’

“I personally would not have been offended by his e-mail. It only shows the concern that he had for his officers!”

Det. Charles Pritchard with Pinellas Park (FL) PD commented:

”I think the chief was wrong. Will he provide the area and equipment to exercise…off and on duty????? I am sorry but with today’s courts always second guessing us, if you are so fit, it may be held against you in use of force cases.

“I have been told ‘how can someone your size have a hard time subduing this person?’”

From Deputy John Knowlton with Collier Co. (FL) SO:

“As a Police Officer, we deal with the public every day. We are taught from the first day in the academy that we are supposed to set our standards higher than the normal citizen.

“I always make sure that my uniform is pressed, shoes shine, and within the grooming standards. When I’m dealing with someone, I want them to believe, ‘Here’s an officer that looks squared away.’ First impressions are everything. If you are overweight and sloppy looking, people are going to treat you like the slob you are.

“The boss that isn’t keeping track of these things is not doing his job.”

Inspector Salvador Ruiz, US Customs/Border Protection in Jamaica, NY shared:

“How can anyone take offense to this? I did not take this as a direct order from the Chief to get fit. It was more of a recommendation. The fat slobs (no pc here) who complained loved their ham and eggs, coffee and 2 jelly donuts for breakfast and then go to lunch on a full stomach to eat some greasy cheeseburgers, fries and of course a diet Coke. Then they come home and expect wifey to have dinner on the table: fried foods and artery clogging burgers. No wonder they’re unfit!

“I know…this was my regimen until a heart attack put me down like a truck. Then it was fish, turkey, and baked chicken. No red meats of any kind.

“Was it hard? Not if I wanted to live much longer.

“Listen Winter Haven PD, a cushy job is nice but when the adrenaline starts pumping and your heart gives out while running down a felon, it’s you that’s going to need 911.”

Officer Darryl Codling with Greater Manchester Police in England wrote:

“I think the Chief was right. I am a UK officer and we have the same problems over here.

“If I’m struggling with a non-compliant prisoner, I want to know that my back-up has got the oxygen to assist me.

“I hate it when we’re in a block of flats and the elevator is broken and the officer you are with has to stop at the top of each flight of stairs to take air. It looks bad and those officers are a danger to themselves, their colleagues and the public they are allegedly there to protect.

“If they can’t look after themselves, how do they expect to look after other people?

“I can’t believe the Chief lost his job. Surely, it is his professional obligation to ensure he has the best people working for his department. If they’re not fit for purpose, he is obliged to motivate them.”

Chief Kile Nave with Marshall (IL) PD writes:

“To quote the Illinois State Police Academy:

‘When you choose law enforcement, you lose the right to be unfit.’

“I workout regularly (4-5 days a week of weight training and 3-4 days of cardio). I encourage my officers to stay in shape. I instituted a mandatory physical fitness test every year. However, the police union fought it tooth and nail.

“The test is now included in the police contract, but there is no penalty for not passing the test. (There is a monetary reward for successful completion)

“I also got the city council to go along with paying the dues for the officers at a local gym. This was discontinued due to lack of participation and the perception by other city employees that the police were getting something to which they should also be entitled.”

From Officer Robert Rowe, Hutchinson (KS) PD:

“After reading the article on the Chicago officer who was in the fight of her life which involved a foot chase with a gang member (Read ”Officer’s fight for life yields 9 crucial survival lessons”), and then seeing the article on the Chief of Police who was forced out for trying to encourage his officers to get in-shape, it got me thinking about my own physical condition.

“We as officers have a stressful job, irregular schedule, irregular sleep patterns, and usually eat unhealthy foods at odd times. The officers of this department should be happy that their Chief is trying to improve their health and well being.

“There are so many reasons why exercise is good for your body, and not just that it may give you the upper hand in a situation in your career. I am not saying you have to be muscle bound, but remember the Chicago officer who in my opinion was determined to live and I am sure her physical condition had a part in winning the fight for her life.”

Officer Kathy Vonk, Ann Arbor (MI) PD, commented:

“As police officers we don’t have a right to become our-of-shape and unhealthy. Even the least suspect encounter can turn into a violent life-and-death struggle because there is always at least one firearm on scene -- ours. The chances that it will be used against us if it is successfully taken away are very high. They are taking it for a reason.

“Whether or not we are able to retain our firearm in an intense struggle will depend in part by our fitness level.

“We also die at an alarming rate from cardiovascular disease; 2000 annually. Half of us also die within five years of retiring. Cardiovascular disease, and hence these deaths, are largely preventable through proper eating habits and a physically active lifestyle.

“The rest of America is doing just fine on their own adding huge pounds, eating fast food and thousands of calories every day, and sitting on their duffs watching TV an average of three hours each day (but they don’t have time to be physically active).

“We should not allow ourselves to fall into this unfortunately common phenomenon of epidemic proportions. Let’s refuse to fall into the “average American” category! Look sharp, be sharp both mentally and physically.”

Academy Coordinator James Johnson with Jefferson Co. (CO) SO, wrote:

“Good for the Police Chief to put that out there and shame on the people who were involved in him losing his job.

”For the officers who complained about what he said, ‘Cry me a river.’ I’m one of the Academy Coordinators for our department and we stress physical fitness and nutrition, not only during the academy but throughout our career. There is nothing worse than seeing a fat, out-of-shape officer get out of their car and expect them not only to help the public but to help me as well. Please!

Sgt. Andrew Berg with the L.A. Co. SD e-mailed:

“I have some rules I often apply to law enforcement situations:

“Would I want this officer dealing with my family? Would I want him handling an emergency when my family is involved? Who would I want as my partner?

“We don’t want a stud who is a jerk. All other things being equal (professionalism, training, experience), we would all want a person who is more fit and most physically capable of dealing with physical combat and other emergent situations.

“There are solid reasons for hiring standards that require high level s of fitness, and they don’t go away after the officer is hired.

“It’s highly unfortunate that the chief was forced out due to his ‘straight talk.’ A commanding officer must craft his message as he sees fit. Sometimes it needs to be tempered so as not to offend, but shame on those who couldn’t see the truth in his message and take it to heart. One might say that these complainers brought more shame upon themselves by making these comments public.

“I am not as fit as I’d like to be, but it must remain our mind set and goal to maintain a high standard of fitness.”

Oklahoma Officer Kevin Pethoud commented:

“As an officer who has seen a decline in my physical fitness, I realize the importance of being fit enough to do your job. I have since started getting back in shape, not only because it makes me feel better but because I can more effectively do my job.

“I don’t believe there is anything wrong with requiring a physical standard for any job. However, the standard must be related to the job functions you perform. If you aren’t able to perform your job requirements because of your fitness level, then you have no business being in that job.

“I have with worked with officers who have enough trouble just getting out of their car. I do not want to be that person or have to rely on that person to help me in a tough situation.

“This in no way reflects on the officer’s mental ability to do his job, but police work can be rigorous on occasion and each person must be able to handle those job requirements.”

Finally, Officer Dwayne Skehan with the Western Australia Police Force in Perth, Australia wrote:

“I am an officer with 13 years operational experience in the Western Australian Police. I have endured two slipped discs in my back and four operations on my right knee. After each injury it was always my fear that I would not be operational again and be forced to spend the remainder of my career behind a desk. I agree with Chief Goward. His comments are logical and sound.

“We are fortunate that our Commissioner leads by example and encourages all officers to stay fit and healthy. Our Commissioner has improved our gym at HQ and also publishes regular articles via our Health and Welfare office.

“If the only reason that Chief Goward resigned was due to his concern for his troops, then that is an injustice. “

Read more P-1 Member responses

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