Sound Off: Court Says Officer Can’t Be Fired For Being Obese

A Nebraska court has ordered a town police officer be reinstated. Christopher Parent, who is 5’9″ and weighs 300 pounds, was let go after the police department said he failed to maintain a high level of physical conditioning. Parent says he can still perform his duties. The department says his weight hampers his ability. What do you think? Should people who are obese be allowed to be police officers? Email us:soundoff@old.kxly.com

The issue of obesity comes down to one’s performance of duty. Performance appraisals should reflect this. If an officer can perform  “all” of the required duties weight should not be an issue. A casual observation of many-many officers indicates that weight is not a consideration for employment. -Gary(Spokane)

The police officer should be treated no differently than another officer with any other addiction (alcohol, drugs, etc.) Obesity is the disease of food addiction. That’s right! It’s an addiction. He needs treatment, not termination. As a society surely we are enlightened enough to know about addiction, but obesity continues to be treated as a social condition rather than the disease we know it to be. –Karen

Yes and no i am from there lincoln ne and there are alot of officers that are big and 5 of them work in the courts system the rest are out in the feld but bing that big 300lbs i would help him loss that weight. some times they have move real fast to get every thing under contral but then a gain you can’t push him out of the way to get by him lincoln ne has weird laws any way. –Wayne (Spirit Lake)

MAYBE HE HAS TRIED TO LOSE AND MAINTAIN AN ACCEPTABLE WEIGHT BUT MAYBE NO ONE EVER GAVE HIM THE “EFFECTIVE KEY” FOR “HIS PARTICULAR METABOLISM”. NO ONE ENJOYS BEING THAT HUGE, “FOR MULTIPLE REASONS”. WAS THAT THE ONLY REASON HE WAS FIRED? IF IT IS, THEN IT SOUNDS LIKE PREJUDICE. HAD HE HAD WARNINGS? HAS ANYONE TRIED TO HELP WITH HIS SITUATION? SOMEHOW I FEEL LIKE WE ARE NOT GETTING THE WHOLE STORY. WERE THERE OTHER ISSUES, HOW LONG HAD HE BEEN WORKING THERE, WHAT DID HE WEIGH WHEN HE WAS HIRED, ETC. –Marilyn

I hope that at some time the ones in the court need assistance quickly, and they have to wait for him, You have got to be kidding. How far down a alley can this guy run, before wanting another donut? –Michael

Yes he should be fired. He is depended on for keeping people safe who can’t defend themselves. How can he? Is he on a desk job? That could be different. He isn’t expected to be physical. –Vella

5’9″ & 300lbs? I’m sorry, but at some point the weight is a hindrance and he’s definitely at that point. You do need “some” athletic ability & endurance. A 5’9″ weight lifter might get away with 240-250lbs but he’d be too heavy to be effective over 250lbs. That guy’s no weight lifter either… 300lbs would require at least a 6′ athletic weight lifter’s body. –Flyer

Being obese is not the question. Can he pass the physical requirements portion of a new hire test. If he can, his weight is a non issue. If he cannot, he doesn’t return. This is also a case of professional appearance–he doesn’t have one. -Judy(Spokane Valley)

He can perform his duties answering the telephone ,but the balance of the squad will have to cover for him when asked to run ,jump ,climb stairs and subdue …he could sit on the suspect. I also noted that fat cops use there night sticks more . Killed one guy last year with a night stick. -Fred

You have to be a little more specific in an issue like this. This gentleman could work a desk job, sure. But would you rely on him to leap out of his car and pursue a wanted felon on foot, tackle him, and hand cuff him? Certainly not. We expect infantry soldiers to be in top physical condition to do their jobs. We expect professional athletes to likewise be in top shape. We would expect the same of firefighters. It’s time to reshape the definition of “political correctness”. It’s time to take a “that’s just tough” stance on people who fall short of the mark. And it’s time to raise standards across our nation, not lauder failure and incompetence. -Peter

I think the cops should have to fall under the same requirements as the military. -S.

We aren’t hearing the whole story. If this gentleman is a detective I don’t feel his weight affects his job. How often have you seen a detective run??? -Glenda

It comes down to whether or not he can perform his job to the required standards. Obviously he can’t chase down a criminal whilst gripping his chest because he can’t breath. Has his work suffered? I don’t believe it is a case of him being obese, it’s a matter of him being able to protect and serve. -Sarah(Spokane)

No matter how hard I try, I cannot imagine how a person who weighs 300 pounds could possibly perform the duties of a police officer– unless he is assigned to dispatch! -Robin(Coeur d’Alene)

I’m over weight and I can barely run around the block. When I call the cops I want some one who is going to be able to chase down who ever is attacking me and be able to restrain them properly. You can’t do that if you’re holding your side, short of breath, because you’re not use to the exercise. –Krystelle

I guess it really depends on what his job is on the force. I don’t think he could run fast enough to catch a bad guy.. He had to pass a physical endurance test to become employed as a police officer, he be required to stay fit to keep his job. Hey put down the donuts. -Dan

The armed forces has a weight program, if your overweight your out. Don’t they have to be able to pass a physical test to get hired? -Doug(Lewiston)

Upon entering the force, a candidate has to pass the post certification physical standards. Officers should have to re-test every year or two in order to not be a risk to themselves or others by not being able to physically perform their jobs. If this officer can past the police standards for physical fitness for his state like the new candidates he should be allowed to have his job back. I have seen some obese looking people who would put the rest to shame in a 2 mile run, push ups and sit ups! -Billie(Hayden)

Sounds like discrimination to me! The police department could get into lots of problems with this one, I would think. Give the guy a break……we all have issues to work on and maybe he just needs some support and encouragement. Maybe help pay his way for a health club or to get nutrition/weight management counseling. Many times being overweight is a medical problem. I understand weight problems and we are no better or worse than anyone else. We are humans too, with a heart and feelings and doing our best. I have gained weight from some medicine I am taking for chronic back pain. Maybe he is taking medication for something too and has gained weight from it. Please don’t be judgmental! I feel for the guy! Jesus said, “He who has not sinned, cast the first stone!” -Kathy

Get him into a weight/conditioning program, but if he can still do the work, why fire him? –Ann

The officer should be let go. The lives of citizens and fellow officers are dependent upon the officer being in some semblance of good physical condition to properly perform assigned duties. -Rob

I can’t imagine a 5’9″ 300 pounder chasing a criminal. His lungs and heart wouldn’t be too happy with him and might object violently. -MJ

Of course a high level of physical conditioning must be a requirement for a peace officer. What lunacy to think that 300lbs of beer, pretzels & pizza will be able to engage in a foot pursuit or drag an injured auto accident victim to safety. That’s why the requirement exists. Suggest to Parent that he audition for “America’s Biggest Loser”, and maybe, after he’s dropped 120lbs or so, maybe he can apply for reinstatement. -Mike(Spokane)

Yes, obese people should be allowed to be anything they want to be AS LONG AS they can perform the duties required. If they require police officers be able to run and jump over fences and the obese person cannot do that then no they should be disqualified. If the person was already a police officer when he/she became obese (for whatever reason) and they can be placed in another position than street cop, let them stay. Being obese should not be a disqualifying factor for the sake of getting rid of someone when they can still perform their duties. -Roxanne

Sorry! how can someone do a physical job like being a police officer and be so out of shape! He could do the work of a detective. If you are going to do the job, keep in shape. He looks like he should be on Top Chef or something instead. -Jeannie(Newport)

Doesn’t any body watch the reality show “cops” , 90 % of those guys and 30% of the women are rotund,great for Halloween time, pumpkins with a badge. –Nick

I don’t know. I guess I wouldn’t want to see him risk a heart attack during a half mile of running down a suspect on foot! But, hey, who am I to judge? He’s plain fat, not obese, and as such probably has a low opinion of himself. I hope he does not bring that attitude to his job. -Jim(Thompson Falls)

I guess it all depends on what his ‘duties’ are. Beat cops often have to run, so a certain level of athleticism would be necessary. But I guess if he can get away with being a desk jockey he can be as morbidly obese as he wants. –Janessa(Spokane)

There is no way a police officer can do there job if they are to big. They unable run after criminals, they should be put behind a desk job until they do lose the weight. Also it looks so bad when a criminal get away caused this office unable to do is job. –Theresa

Given the rigors and the need for split-second responses for Police Officers, those who are obese and not capable of meeting Department physical standards should be given a choice, get into shape, or stay unfit to perform duties and be fired! -Harold(Pullman)