Assam police chief tells overweight cops to lose weight within three months or face sack
GP Singh, the police chief of India’s northeastern state of Assam, told overweight cops on May 16 that their body mass index (BMI) would be “professionally recorded” from mid-August. The “obese” group must reduce their BMI by November or face sack.
“We are planning to give Assam police three months before the start of the check-up. All those in the obese category, with a BMI of 30+, will be given three more months to lose weight,” said GP Singh.
BMI is calculated by dividing weight (kg) by height (metres) squared. Health experts use BMI to determine whether they are normal, malnourished, overweight or obese.
Singh said he would be the first police officer to have his BMI measured and that people with conditions such as hyperthyroidism would be exempted from the test.
The move comes after Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma recently announced that around 300 police officers deemed “alcoholic” and “unfit” would be asked to retire early. Several police officers in Assam have been suspended following incidents involving drunkenness on duty.
Studies have found that Indian police officers are often asked to work long, irregular shifts and are often not given adequate rest or breaks.
In 2018, police officers in the state of Karnataka were also asked to lose weight or face reprimand. The measure came after several senior police officers died of “lifestyle-related diseases” such as heart disease and diabetes.
