ABOUT 10 police officers from Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) underwent a random body mass index (BMI) validation at the BCPO Headquarters in Bacolod City Wednesday, February 26.
The BMI validation was conducted by Police Regional Office-Western Visayas led by Police Lieutenant Colonel Lavis Camdas.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, spokesperson of BCPO, said PRO-Western Visayas held the random BMI’s validation to ensure that their BMI records which were submitted to the region are correct.
“We are required to pass the standard Philippine National Police (PNP) BMI so we can be promoted or we can avail the PNP’s career schooling,” he said.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa earlier ordered the strict enforcement of the BMI after Interior Secretary Eduardo Año issued a directive putting emphasis on fitness for police personnel.
Pico said policemen should pass the BMI so they can apply for their promotions or for the schooling.
He said of 10 policemen, some of them were considered obese so they should continue their exercises to meet the standard BMI so they can apply for their promotions.
The BMI requirement is applied in all ranks of the PNP, from patrolmen to generals.
To address the issue of overweight cops among its personnel, Pico said the BCPO has introduced several programs to promote physical activities among its personnel.
He said every Tuesday and Thursday the BCPO hosts a zumba program at the police headquarters. Aside from those who are overweight, the program also caters to cops who are also underweight.
He added that every week, they are monitoring the BMI of the BCPO personnel including all the police stations while the region conducts a monthly validation. (MAP)