KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 ― An ambitious programme involving 35 overweight cops was launched yesterday to develop a fit police force.
The officers will undergo a vigorous training and diet pilot programme called “Trim N Fit 2016” for six months to increase the effectiveness of the force.
The participants, including 12 women, consist of 15 senior officers from various departments and 20 officers from the Logistics Department. They will be closely monitored and used as test subjects to develop an appropriate routine before it is implemented nationwide.
Bukit Aman’s Director of Management Datuk Zulkifli Abdullah said it was estimated that 11,000 police officers from the 122,403 in the force were overweight.
He said Bukit Aman would work closely with Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya health department officials, who will monitor these officers who have a body mass index (BMI) exceeding 25.
“We are aware young officers who initially join the force are always in good physical shape but fail to maintain their health over the years,” he said.
“The police are the frontliners of the country who enforce the law and maintain public order, so they must be in shape to effectively carry out their duties.”
Zulkifli said an average of 560 police officers took medical leave each day during the last four years, including high- ranking officers. This translated to about RM38 million in losses to the force.
“Many of these overweight officers are obese, diabetic or suffer various illnesses. However, those who were diagnosed with severe illnesses would be assigned to desk jobs,” he said.
Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya health department senior assistant director Norazah Ahmad, who spoke at the event at Bukit Aman yesterday, said the programme’s main objective was to reduce the officers’ body fat percentage and waist circumference by five to 10 per cent.
“The officers will be required to exercise an hour a day for five days a week, using a workout plan that involves nine different regimes, conducted by instructors from the health department,” she said.
“Every month, the 35 officers will go through outdoor exercises, such as kayaking, zumba aerobics classes, mountain climbing, and nutritional counselling.”
Norazah said her team would monitor the progress of the officers, which included conducting monthly check-ups.
The officers will be trained at the Bukit Aman gymnasium, launched in December 2014.
The health department’s nutrition science officer, Muhammad Asyraf Ismail, stressed the importance of a high-fibre diet.
He said it was important to maintain a diet that it would satisfy their appetite for a longer period of time, which was effective while being on the job.
Asyraf also provided recipes, which consisted of overnight oats and tuna sandwiches, to be eaten after their workout.
“The officers can have their usual local favourites for their main meals, but in smaller portions,” he said.
The programme will begin on Monday
