Pot-bellied or overweight cops beware.

The commissioner of police, Bhubaneswar-Cuttack, has threatened unfit policemen with coercive steps like stopping increment and compulsory retirement unless they show improvement and meet the required health parameters within three months.

Police commissioner Sudhanshu Sarangi, who leads by example in the field of fitness, wants the force under him to follow a strict health regime. Policemen who fail to pass the fitness test despite support from the department, are likely to face disciplinary action like stoppage of increment and even compulsory retirement on health grounds.

With policemen on the frontline in the war against coronavirus, Sarangi wants the force to be in fine fettle.

He has given his obese colleagues a three-month deadline to reduce their body mass index (BMI) and bring it below 30. BMI is a measure of body fat based on height and weight.

Every member of the commissionerate police force will be subject to the BMI test next week. They will be told what their BMI should be according to their age, height and weight. While policemen with a BMI higher than 30 will be categorised as obese, those with a figure between 19 and 25 will be considered normal. The process of health check-up with focus on BMI begins next week and will continue till July 30. Records will be meticulously maintained.

“We will have a review in November to find out whether force members have made efforts to lose weight or not. Those found exceeding a BMI of 30 will be asked to undergo a complete work out or join a six-week refresher course,” said Sarangi in his order.

The commissioner has made it clear that policemen who fail to meet the required health parameters will face disciplinary action.

“If required they will be given compulsory retirement,” the order said.

In his order, the commissioner reminded his colleagues of their excellent fitness when they had joined the force and pointed out that a failure to follow a fitness regime over the years had led to health complications at present. “Since persons with comorbid conditions are more vulnerable to Covid-19, the police personnel with other health complications need to be more careful. We might even see some new kind of virus attack in future and have to be prepared for any eventuality. A police personnel should always be fit, strong and workaholic as per demand of the profession,” said Sarangi in his order.