Thoughts on a severely overweight SRO at your kids' school... (Arlington: theater, middle school)

[Touristhere]

TJ middle school has an SRO that has to be close to 75lbs or more overweight. He doesn't have the height to carry the weight as he is quite short, maybe 5'5? Initially, my concerns were--last year when we entered the school--that he wasn't a healthy role model for his job. Now, considering the horrible events that have taken place in schools, I can't imagine this officer would be able to respond with any necessary speed or quick reaction time if needed.

Are the SRO's in Arlington actual police? Have you met your child's school SRO? Curious if anyone is aware of SRO standards and how weight is allowed to be ignored. I can't imagine this man could pass a fitness test.

Thoughts?

[ozzyngcsu]

First thought is to get over yourself. Second is that he is a resource officer, chill.

[The Dissenter]

His weight is none of your business. Arlington County views him as fit to have his position and that is the end of it.

[Skatergirl]

Real thoughtful feedback��

[boyd888]

If he was in shape, but showed up drunk every day would the responses still be "none of your business" and "get over yourself?" Interesting that one serious health issue OP feels could stop someone from doing their job properly is taboo while another is a fireable offense.

SROs are really just security theater anyway, which is why him being overweight isn't a huge deal (have you seen some of the actual cops around here)? The expectation is that his presence alone is a deterrence, not that he's able to run two miles to chase down a suspect.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by boyd888

If he was in shape, but showed up drunk every day would the responses still be "none of your business" and "get over yourself?" Interesting that one serious health issue OP feels could stop someone from doing their job properly is taboo while another is a fireable offense.

It's because the OP assumes that the overweight person can't do their job, but a thinner person could. Weight, alone, does not mean someone isn't capable of doing their job. Being drunk does mean that.

[jillybean720]

Originally Posted by boyd888

If he was in shape, but showed up drunk every day would the responses still be "none of your business" and "get over yourself?" Interesting that one serious health issue OP feels could stop someone from doing their job properly is taboo while another is a fireable offense.

Showing up to work drunk is a health issue? Excess weight does not impact an individual's mental capacity to understand, assess, and respond to situations. Being thinner does not make one automatically more fit or quicker to respond physically. There are plenty of overweight police officers out there who perform their jobs just fine; being drunk is a completely unrelated condition.

[Touristhere]

Well, NYC is having a problem with overweight cops, and it's not taboo to discuss afterall....

Report: Overweight cops making NYPD 'the fattest police department' | syracuse.com

[Fallout Zone]

There is a difference between overweight and morbidly obese. You can be overweight and still be fully functional for a position like this.

[Back to NE]

When I'm abroad I always marvel at how fit, strong and alert law enforcement and security officers are. It makes you fear and respect them that much more.

In America, half of LE officers are overweight, un-athletic and spend their time chatting with each other like they are killing time. Remove their guns and most of them wouldn't be a physical match for most men with an edge. The standards are too low.