Palacios wants law enforcers to shape-up
Let's be honest: you've probably seen them, whether it's the Guam Police Department, Guam Fire or the Department of Corrections, a few officers who may be packing a few extra pounds.
By KUAM NewsGuam - Let's be honest: you've probably seen them, whether it's the Guam Police Department, Guam Fire or the Department of Corrections, a few officers who may be packing a few extra pounds.
"There's no mandate to stay fit," said Senator Adolpho Palacios. He's hoping to change that by introducing Bill 147, "The Fit to Serve and Protect Act of 2011". It would task the chiefs of GPD, GFD and DOC to come up with a strategy for uniformed officers to battle the bulge. "To mandate them to get together the three heads or their representatives to develop policy and programs, into physical fitness to be established within their respective agencies," he said.
The chairman of the Committee on Public Safety believes there should be standards in place similar to what's in place for the military. "I've never been in the military," he said. "But it maintains a policy of physical fitness and if you don't maintain a certain standard you're' given three months to correct that. And if you don't then somehow if you're not fit to occupy that position they'll reclass you. For example, you don't lose your job but then you're not fit to do that job anymore; in this case, the strenuous work of public safety such as midnight assignment, running or subduing suspect and those things you need to be physically fit.":
According to Palacios, there's nothing wrong with legislation requiring Guam's crime fighters and first responders from staying fit. The Democrat lawmaker said its one's natural desire to stay healthy.
Right?
"Who doesn't like to sit back and watch TV and munchie away?" he said.