Over 200 state troopers must lose weight by the end of the year or face consequences under a policy by the Texas Department of Public Safety, the Dallas Morning News reported Monday.
Men whose waists exceed 40 inches and women whose exceed 35 inches must log and share their weight loss journey, according to documents obtained by the newspaper.
“I will drink no more than one diet soda each day,” a DPS officer reportedly said in a fitness improvement plan. Meanwhile, those who fail to lose the weight, even while passing other fitness tests, may be denied promotions and overtime, or be taken off their duties.
The News article continued:
In the latest round of testing, most officers who failed the waist measurement passed the department’s running, rowing and weight lifting tests – suggesting that state troopers with proven strength and stamina may be discounted simply for their size.
The possibility of taking officers out of the field comes as the department is struggling with recruitment and ramping up activity at the state’s border with Mexico under Gov. Greg Abbott’s Operation Lone Star.
