Police Chief Fired over "Jelly Bellies" Memo

**lizbud** · 11-02-2006, 11:22 AM

I don'y think it was unreasonable to expect the police force to stay
in good shape. I don't know what his day to day mangagement style
was, so can't say if he was a bad manager.Maybe he should work to get
physical fitness tests incorporated into the requirements for all police
officers in his department.

**caseysmom** · 11-02-2006, 12:19 PM

I have several friends in law enforcement and they are actually given an allowance for being in a fitness club.

Like Val said I think he had the right idea but went about it the wrong way.

I need to lose weight but having somebody tell me that way wouldn't make me want to do better.

**moosmom** · 11-02-2006, 12:43 PM

As for the police department memo, sounds to me like the issue wasn't so much whether cops are/should be in shape as it was an indication that the chief had a poor management style. If department morale was poor to begin with, then a "by the way, you're fat" memo was bound to make matters worse. It may be a good idea for police officers to be in good physical shape, but it's not a good idea to have a police department that's angry and discouraged.

CatsinDenver is correct. I think this goes WAY beyond the department members' physical condition. As always there are two sides to every story. I would LOVE to hear what the cops have to say before I judge whether or not I think the Chief should've been fired. The memo itself could've been the Chief's way of using his sense of humor (however dry it may have been) to make a point.

**Argranade** · 11-02-2006, 12:44 PM

I don't think he should have been fired,

I agree with this lady on the radio ... she said somthing like,

''I would feel more safe, with sturdy and in shape police officers because this way I know they won't run out of breath to catch a suspect on the loose and they'll be ready to charge at them at any time.''

Maybe not all out of shape officers are like that and can run for a long time but I agree it would seem better plus loosing some pounds could be good for there health, tho it was kinda mean demanding them to do it by force but that was no reason to fire the cheif.

Honestly I not trying to be mean or anything I swear but don't you think it would be better to loose weight this way they could run after a robber for a long time and would not always have to shoot them because they could not run far enough to grab them or tackle them?

Just my opinion & I have nothing against the "jelly bellies".

**Luvin Labs** · 11-03-2006, 10:21 PM

I don't think he should have been fired.

And I think that they should have a yearly physical readiness test (PRT).

If you have to be in shape to get ON the force, you need to be in shape WHILE on the force.

I would be more confident in our police force if we had physically fit people over "jelly bellies".

**Cataholic** · 11-04-2006, 08:17 AM

I am overweight myself, and would WELCOME my employer's support of a more healthy lifestyle. I need as much encouragement as I can get.

**RICHARD** · 11-04-2006, 12:26 PM

Jellie Bellies?

He was being kind.

Watch a few episodes of "COPS" and wonder why heart attacks don't take more of the guys carrying around a few extra tons.

Sheesh, no one is safe from the PC cops.

**Miss Z** · 11-04-2006, 08:20 AM

I'm pretty sure that here anyone in the services, eg patrolling police force, fire service etc, have to pass a vigourous fitness test. These people need to be able to chase after criminals and will encounter situations on a regular basis where they need strength and fitness.

I think it's total madness that he was fired simply on the basis of a memo. As chief, he had a right to tell his officers what concerned him. I don't really think it was an issue that he called them 'jelly babies', so what? Surely someone big enough to work for the good of their country is big enough to see past a comment and to do something about it.

**jackie** · 11-04-2006, 09:49 AM

Originally Posted by Luvin Labs

And I think that they should have a yearly physical readiness test (PRT).

If you have to be in shape to get ON the force, you need to be in shape WHILE on the force.

I would be more confident in our police force if we had physically fit people over "jelly bellies".

You took the words from my mouth. I think a yearly fitness test would be great.

**Twisterdog** · 11-04-2006, 09:00 PM

Originally Posted by Luvin Labs

I don't think he should have been fired.

And I think that they should have a yearly physical readiness test (PRT).

If you have to be in shape to get ON the force, you need to be in shape WHILE on the force.

I would be more confident in our police force if we had physically fit people over "jelly bellies".

I agree!