Trimming the fat off porky lawmen

What a concept, police that can do their jobs!

"First South Africa's overweight and unfit police officers were told to tackle the battle of the bulge and get into shape.

Now it's the turn of the Metro cops.

Metro Police, traffic officers and law enforcement officials could find their shifts starting earlier with an hour of compulsory fitness training aimed at improving both body and mind.

Weight, body fat percentage and physical prowess will all be evaluated and those officers who are not up to scratch could find themselves taken off active duty."

Thus, making the citizenry safer.

"Under the existing policy, men shouldn't have a waist bigger than 102cm while a woman's shouldn't be larger than 88cm.

The body fat percentage required of men should not be more than 15 percent while women's shouldn't be more than 25 percent.

Men in their 20s should be able to run 2,4km in about 14 minutes and those in their 50s in about 18 minutes. Women in their 20s should be able to complete the distance in 17 minutes while their older counterparts should do it in 20 minutes.

Other requirements would be the ability to complete between 50 and 80 push-ups in two minutes for young men and around 30 to 50 for young women. Older members would get away with fewer."

And if they cannot make the grade?

"If staff failed repeatedly they could be put on desk duty."

Fire them and/or cut their salaries.

"Smith said a staff member had recently returned from a judo competition in Japan and had visited training facilities for local police which had been very impressive.

'In Tokyo the local police train for an hour before their shift starts. They also focus on martial arts which teach control and confidence, something our staff could benefit from.'

'Most are lean and mean, and wouldn't have trouble apprehending a suspect.'"

More wisdom from the East.

Now, if we could only do it everywhere.