November 2, 2006 7:45 AM
Police chief fired for asking his men to get in shape
Police Chief Fired Over 'Jelly Bellies' Memo
He Exhorted 80 Fellow Officers to Get in Shape
By TRAVIS REED, APWINTER HAVEN, Fla. (Nov. 2) - Police Chief Paul Goward was tired of looking around his department and seeing blubber hanging over the belts of some of his officers. So he sent out a memo exhorting the "jelly bellies" to shape up.
In his memo, titled "Are You a Jelly Belly," the chief never singled anyone out, and apart from the title, didn't call anyone names.Instead, he provided a list of 10 reasons police officers should be in shape. He said overweight police poorly represent the profession, poop out when chasing suspects and might have to resort to "a higher level of force" if a criminal got the upper hand in a fight. He said out-of-shape cops are a liability to the city and their families.
"Take a good look at yourself," he wrote. "If you are unfit, do yourself and everyone else a favor. See a professional about a proper diet and a fitness training program, quit smoking, limit alcohol intake and start thinking self-pride, confidence and respectability. And stop making excuses for delaying what you know you should have been doing years ago. We didn't hire you unfit and we don't want you working unfit. Don't mean to offend, this is just straight talk. I owe it to you."
Read the entire article here.
This is just plain sad. Overweight is something that can kill you - or put you on medication for the rest of your life. And this chief's point that out-of-shape policemen can't apprehend a suspect properly is true.
I am so tired of fat people claiming hurt feelings when people are telling the truth and trying to encourage them to better health. It reminds me of alcoholics who control the conversation so that their families tiptoe around ignoring the elephant in the living room.
Several times in my life I've confronted people about their problems with drugs and alcohol. Believe me, a recovered alcoholic knows someone who's got a problem and knows they're in pain. Reaching out to someone whose life is bound this way is an act of love. Several times, hearing someone speak the truth was all it took for the afflicted person to seek help for his/her problem. I've been grateful to know that there are a few happier, healthier people in the world today as a result.
Currently I am acquainted with someone who everyone knows has a problem. They can see it affects her mothering and the life of her children. But when I confronted her about it, she only got angry. I explained that I knew her pain more than anyone could and that I thought it was kinder to offer help and hope rather than just gossip or ignore it. But some people just aren't ready, I guess - although she's been in rehab a few times and never maintained. I let her know that even though she hates me for speaking the truth, I'm willing to go to a meeting with her or help her in any way I can when she is ready.
Well, I didn't set out to tell that story, but I think that our culture often punishes people who speak the truth about anything. I've been punished socially for my newspaper columns about modesty, abstinence, and public school dances that ignore freak dancing. In my personal life, I've been punished for speaking the truth about other issues that called for someone to be honest.
There's a name for people like this - whistle-blowers. Whistle blowers perform a vital service in our culture as they draw attention to problems. Unfortunately, they then are shunned or ostracized for their efforts while everyone gets to work trying to prove they are wrong. Often, the efforts to prove them wrong bring about the changes that needed to occur. As a person with a long history of whistle-blowing, I've learned to bear the negative consequences and find satisfaction in seeing things turn in the right direction - as when I blew the whistle on Loudoun's out-of-control proms, which was met by a loud chorus of denial and hatred but which stirred the powers-that-be to put standards into place which would expect decent civilized behavior from kids at a public school function.
I am sure this Police Chief and his family are suffering greatly at this point. He was clearly in the right and his courage, conviction and love for the people he served are obvious. I'm sure he never expected the kind of backlash he got. That has always taken me by surprise. But I'm hoping that he will see the rewards of those self-indulgent policemen perhaps trying to prove him wrong by getting their act together and getting in shape.
I will be praying for him today.
Posted in Current Affairs, Diet | Permalink
Comments
Well said. I'll be praying for him, too.
Posted by: Birdie | November 2, 2006 1:59 PM
Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Posted by: Milehimama | November 2, 2006 8:49 PM
