THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has rolled out a city-wide fitness campaign targeting overweight officers, following a directive from the Philippine National Police (PNP) to enforce stricter physical standards across the force.
At a press briefing on June 18, DCPO spokesperson Captain Hazel Tuazon said the program supports PNP leadership’s push to improve health and physical readiness among police personnel.
Officers identified as overweight are now required to take part in weekly or bi-weekly activities such as basketball, volleyball, and zumba sessions.
Tuazon said overweight officers are now under close monitoring and given priority in the fitness program, in line with the directive from the PNP chief. She added that the DCPO has already identified and listed personnel required to participate.
She underscored that physical fitness is crucial for effective police work, pointing out that officers must be in good shape to carry out their duties properly. While acknowledging that weight gain can come with age, she emphasized it should not interfere with their performance in the field.
PNP Director General Nicolas Torre III earlier warned that officers who fail to meet the required fitness standards within a year could face dismissal. He cited Republic Act 6975, or the Department of the Interior and Local Government Act, which states that police officers must not exceed five kilograms over the standard weight for their height, age, and sex.
Torre also noted that the PNP is working with the National Police Commission to address cases involving medical conditions.
Meanwhile, the DCPO clarified that officers with valid health issues may be reassigned to administrative duties or considered for disability discharge. DEF