MEN in uniform must not only be smart.
They must also be snappy!
Short Cuts was told about this during his college days when he was undergoing his basic training as a Reserved Officers‘ Training Corps (ROTC) cadet. The more was that particular basic principle known to Short Cuts when he took his Two-Year Advanced ROTC course.
As a consequence, he closely monitored all members of the Police Force of his hometown when he assumed executive leadership of his municipality.
For two hours in a week, Short Cuts had to be with his police force for a drill. And, this lasted for three months on his first year of leadership.
It is because he is certain that the statement does not exempt members of the police force in all the different local government units throughout the country.
They are men in uniform, too.
In fact, they are at the frontlines. They are always seen in the different barangays of all towns. They are the front liners in the peacekeeping mandate of every local government unit.
And, true indeed!
For, how can a man in uniform be smart and snappy if he is overweight? How can he efficiently perform the duties expected of him when his stomach is too large and heavy that could ultimately restrict even his mobility and agility in pursuing evil doers?
How can he be fit to run after criminals and would-be criminals?
That’s the main reason why Short Cuts had to extend his message of thanks to Police General Archie Gamboa, the former PNP Chief, in his message that “he wanted policemen to shape up before they move up to the ranks”.
It could be gleaned, therefore, that with General Gamboa on the helm of the police force no overweight patrolman can ever have the chance of a promotion. He must first reduce his weight before dreaming of any promotion while in service.
As revealed by Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac, the former Spokesperson of the Philippine National Police, out of the 180,000 members of the police force throughout the country, 36 percent of all policemen are overweight and another 10 percent are obese.
It was further informed by the PNP spokesperson that the ideal weight of members of the police force is based on the body mass index (BMI). Accordingly, this formula indicates a person’s ideal weight as against his age and height.
Short Cuts’ honest observation on the obese and overweight syndrome of some men in uniform could simply be explained. The concerned patrolman, maybe because of the thrill in his appointment as a peace officer, must have already lost track of his jagging lessons.
Or, he may had just indulged too much time with his boyhood friends and newly-found friends as member of the police force in the town.
But, back to our respective territorial jurisdictions. . . . . .
Do you have these obese and overweight patrolmen in your respective towns?
Short Cuts is just asking.
But, he is too certain in saying that there are lots of them. They are found everywhere!
