By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

After Police Regional Office-6 director, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, recently discussed a message sent to police directors across the region requesting a list of officers who are considered obese and overweight and encouraged them to exercise in order to meet the order by Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, Lt. General Archie Francisco Gamboa, calling for overweight police officers to “shape up,” the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) has ordered obese personnel to lose weight or face penalties.
BCPO spokesperson, Police Lt. Colonel Ariel Pico, said personnel must comply by the PNP standard on BMI (body mass index). Police personnel must attain a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9, which, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is normal range.
In order to address the obesity issue, the BCPO has introduced several physical fitness programs, including Zumba every Tuesday and Thursday. Pico added, the Zumba program is also beneficial to personnel with high blood pressure and diabetes, along with those older in age.
“Obese and overweight police officers who fail to meet the standard BMI will be denied schooling and will not be promoted,” the regional director explained in his earlier statement. “They need to exercise more in order to look fit and run after criminals.”
“Police officers who are in good shape will gain the trust and confidence from the community,” he added./DGB, WDJ