Pune cops fail to arrest falling fitness standards

Seventy percent of city police is unfit.

A recent city police report has revealed that only 1,896 of the 6,000 police personnel who underwent the fitness test could qualify.
Since 2006, the state government has been giving Rs250 per month as fitness allowance to city cops, along with their salaries, to encourage physical fitness.

Police personnel above 30 years of age, from constable to inspector rank, have to appear for an annual medical check-up at the police hospital in Shivajinagar, where their body mass index (BMI) and other parameters for fitness are checked. They are issued fit or unfit reports and suitable amount is sanctioned as allowance.

In 2011, of the 6,000 personnel who appeared for fitness tests, only 1,896 were found successful. Only 22 inspectors, 14 assistant police inspectors, 88 sub-inspectors, 148 assistant sub-inspectors, 479 hawaldars, 667 police naiks and 478 constables were declared fit.

Deputy commissioner of police (headquarter II) Shirish Sardespande told DNA, “It is not mandatory for police personnel to appear for fitness tests. After the poor report, we are tying up with city hospitals to organise programmes to create awareness of diet and health management.”

Before joining the police department, candidates have to undergo physical fitness test that records their age, weight, chest and height measurements. However, they   neglect health after wearing the uniform.

The repercussions are to be seen in instances where unfit cops have posed a problem both in solving cases as well as in protecting themselves. In the recent past, six incidents were reported where the police have failed to thwart attack by robbers.

An unfit police personnel told DNA, “It is difficult for us to remain fit as we work on the field beyond our capacity. Many a times, we have to be on duty for more than 24 hours, and during sensitive events in the city even our weekly offs are cancelled.

“We often skip lunch or dinner. We don’t get proper sleep. On occasions we are recalled for duty soon after we reach home. How can we manage proper health then?” he asked.