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Hello everyone and question for LEO's

odesskiyodesskiy Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
edited July 2002 in General Discussion
Hello everyone!

I've been a lurker here for the past few weeks and ejoyed reading all the posts. Thought it was time to join in on all the fun.

I would like to start by saying thank you to all the Law Enforcement Officers on the board for walking the difficult path and putting their lives on the line "To Protect and To Serve" (yes, I am from LA and this is LAPD's motto).

Here's my question. A few weeks ago my sister-in-law graduated from highschool. At the ceremony, which took place on the football field I saw two LAPD officers driving around in a golf cart. I assume they were school police. Both of them were extremely overweight, one perhaps weighing in excess of 300 lbs. I couldn't believe there even was a uniform big enough to fit him. My question is this: how can they be expected to effectively perform their duties when they can barely walk? Yes, I understand that they are school police and hardly get to chase suspects in dark allies, but how can this not make the Department concerned? Does this happen in your department? How often? What is (if ever) being done about this?

I am currently seriously considering joing Los Angeles Sheriff's Reserve program, becoming a volunteer Peace Officer. I understand that Los Angeles Law Enforcement is seriously understaffed and I would like to contribute as much as I can (I believe current minimum is two shifts per month, but I would be happy to work more). Since I got married I've put on a few pounds, so several weeks ago I started a walking/running program - I am currently up to 2.5 miles every day with weekly increases. I would appreciate any tips on preparing for the physical agility test (also for the written and oral interview). I've also heard of another person trying to join Sheriff's reserves and they've been doing his background check for more than 9 months (still going). I am wondering if this is normal or there are some special circumstances involved. I have absolutely nothing negative in my past (except for maybe light marijuana experimentation at the age of 18-19), so I don't see anything worth this long of investigation.

Thank you.

Oh yeah, if anyone here is addicted to pool (billiards), I'd love to hear from you!


Ed Kagan
Los Angeles, CA
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Comments

  • simonbssimonbs Member Posts: 994 ✭
    edited November -1
    Ed, welcome aboard. I LOVE to play pool, I'm not especially good at it, I just like to play. Good luck with your training and hiring process.
    I'm not afraid of the dark...the dark is afraid of me!
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  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Odesskiy,
    17 plus years has earned me the right to weigh in at 270 on a 6'2" frame. When I got on and for the first 15 years I used the braun. Now I use the brain. At 51 this cop's fortunate enough to have a little wisdom.

    Our standards for new officers are in line with the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy. They have to meet standards to be accepted. When they graduate they are expected to maintain those standards. It varies from one department to another. In the Hoosier state we have this little organization called the Fair Labor Board and they interfere when you start playing with that weight, height, job stuff.
    Like I've said before when the government at any level gets involved, look out.
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  • odesskiyodesskiy Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Harley,

    No disrespect to you or any other officers (I feel nothing but deepest respect and gratitude), but what if you have to engage in a foot pursuit of a suspect? Wouldn't it be somewhat challenging? As years go by it is obviously more difficult to stay in shape, but my regular pool partner is 70 (that's right, seventy) years old and he is in better shape than I've ever been in my entire life (I'm only 26). To be honest, the situation I described in my earlier post was the first time I have ever seen a police officer that was overweight, leave alone obese. I haven't had too many dealings with the police (thank G-d!), but on one occasion I had a visit at 3am. A unit was dispatched to investigate a domestic dispute and they got the wrong apartment (mine). Thankfully, I had the presence of mind to go back to the bedrom and put my Glock away before opening the door. Both those guys could be described as "I would never do anything to offend a man of this size" - they both had fists the size of my head. Joking aside, they were in tip-top shape. Ever since, no doughnut joke settles well with me - I tell jokesters to go on and enroll in the Police Academy. Although, I have to admit that when a Krispy Kreme truck was stolen here in LA, there were way too many units in hot pursuit.

    Anyways, I just hope that some day soon I will be able to put on a uniform and a badge and proudly call myself a Cop.


    Ed Kagan
    Los Angeles, CA
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  • nunnnunn Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 36,085 ******
    edited November -1
    I would guess that the street cop who can run down your average 19-year-old hoodlum is in the minority. Around here, anyway. We still get the job done.

    SIG pistol armorer/FFL Dealer/Full time Peace Officer, Moderator of General Discussion Board on Gunbroker. Visit www.gunbroker.com, the best gun auction site on the Net! Email davidnunn@texoma.net
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  • n/an/a Member Posts: 168,427 ✭
    edited November -1
    Unfortunatly this observation is made all to often. Since the Americans with Disabilities Act was passed the ability of Police Agencies to have "defensible" fitness programs for in-service officers has been all but wiped out. The norm now is to only have physical fitness standards for academy graduation and to become certified as a Peace Officer. Once you're out and working, in general, its up to you to stay in shape or not. Some choose not.

    Here is my litmus test for those cops that say things like "why would I run, thats why they gave me a car and a radio". If my mothers son (thats me) is 1/4 mile out in a field, across a canal or ravine and a fence or two, and he is getting his * kicked, or worse, by some numbnuts, then if you the fat cop can't get your * out to where I desperately need your help and have the energy/wind to help me once your there then, I DON'T NEED YOU AT ALL!

    We as LEO's don't need to be bodybuilders or olympians but it is very important to maintain a certain level of fitness i.e. strength and cardio-vascular conditioning.

    Lt the unashamed


    "We become what we habitually do. If we act rightly, we become upright men. If we habitually act wrongly, or weakly, we become weak and corrupt" - *ARISTOTLE*

    **Like Grandad used to say--"It'll feel better when it quits hurtin"
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  • NighthawkNighthawk Member Posts: 12,022 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    What you seen could possibly Rentacops or something of that nature.They are far less picky on health and appearence standards,or possibly reserve officers.Most agencys have more stringent Height to weight requirements.And some times your bigger Officers are great to have around in a scuffle,or as Jailers.Departments cant discriminate due to HT,WT,or a law suit could be on there hands.Usually they have yearly physical requirements Officers must pass.I know all Depts dont do this,and supervisors are exempt from these requirements.But most Depts,require higher physical stature than you mentioned.And also dont be decieved by ones appearence,he may be quicker stronger,and smarter than you think.In some Agencys the have Officers called jumpers,they are smaller and train to run,they carry less equipment,Only hand gun,cuffs and some are assisted by K9s and are assigned to do nothing but catch what we call rabbits/One Officer drives up to the suspect and the Jumper hops out and runs him down.It has became very effective,as many rabbits dont bother to run.

    Best.

    Rugster
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  • odesskiyodesskiy Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Rugster,

    Interesting point. I don't argue that the guy I saw could be smart, and as far as strength, I definitely would want to get into a scuffle with him - judging by the thickness of his forearms he'd have no problem folding me in half. As far as quickness, I only argued his inability to give any kind of effective chase. Those two were definitely not rent-a-cops, they were in full LAPD getup. Could be reserves, of course.

    I've never heard of "jumpers" before, seems like a smart idea.

    Thank you all guys for your opinions.


    Ed Kagan
    Los Angeles, CA
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  • 4GodandCountry4GodandCountry Member Posts: 3,968
    edited November -1
    Why would he need to give chase, he's got bullets don't he?

    When Clinton left office they gave him a 21 gun salute. Its a damn shame they all missed....
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  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Odesskiy,
    I exercise more than most guys younger than me. When I said 270, that's a healthy 270. Until I tore a roter cusp I worked out 2 hour sessions 4 days a week. I now brisk walk hills and hollows 4 miles a day. Someone mentioned radios and cars. I ,like most cops my age resemble the old bull joke. A young bull and an old bull were standing on a hill. The young bull says, "Hey! Look at all them cows down in the pasture. Let's run down there and get one." The old bull replies, "No! let's walk down there and get em all." The older the wiser. Good luck in your quest. Keep in mind you won't get rich in money but you'll get rich in memories and the varied people you'll meet. I am lucky enough to live my dream, I hope you get yours.
    God Bless You
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  • jastrjastr Member Posts: 463 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hey Ed ....nice too see another one from the left coast around here... though you shall find are state tends too get bagged on around here a bit...(though it is justifiable) Where are you located at in So. Cal? My wife and I are originally from there. I was San Dimas...She's from Pasedena area.. where now up in the mountains close too Yosimite.

    lets all be responsible! shoot a criminal! Remember 0% of firearms pull there own trigger!
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  • odesskiyodesskiy Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Jastr,

    I'm in Encino (San Fernando Valley), about a half hour drive from Pasadena. I was there yesterday visiting a buddy.

    I think California deserves all the bashing it is getting here. We have some of the most ridiculous and stupid gun control laws. I would move, but I have a large family here (both on my side and my wife's) and I kinda like the weather Actually, right now I'd rather be in the mountains - it's triple digits here every day now, I'm wondering what my electricity bill is going to be.



    Ed Kagan
    Los Angeles, CA
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  • odesskiyodesskiy Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Harley,

    You forgot about the really old bull who came along with the other two. He said, "What's the point of going down there if we can just watch them".



    Ed Kagan
    Los Angeles, CA
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  • 96harley96harley Member Posts: 3,992 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Odesskiy,

    Worries me. I think I'm close to being the really old bull.
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  • odesskiyodesskiy Member Posts: 10 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Harley,

    Come on - you are not THAT old just yet Get down there and get them all!



    Ed Kagan
    Los Angeles, CA
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