IT was long observed that some ranks of the Guyana Police Force (GPF) are sporting a ‘potbelly’ and are clearly out of shape, taking into consideration physical fitness is a must for members of any law enforcement agency and with this in mind, Force Training Officer, Paul Williams yesterday told this publication that in the GPF Strategic Plan they are developing a policy scheme to deal with the issue of physical fitness.

He said that ‘potbelly’ will be a thing of the past in the GPF and they are putting measures in place to ensure ranks take that interest to stay physically in shape.
The Senior Superintendent explained that it was long noted that some ranks are obviously not fit and they want to change that since many ranks have become complacent and fall into a routine and don’t have the desire to stay physically fit.
He said: “While the onus is on you as a person to upkeep your physical appearance by way of exercise, sometimes people lack the urge but in the GPF we want to get rid of all the “big bellies.”
Williams added that since Acting Commissioner of Police Seelall Persaud took office, a policy was reinstated for physical fitness which will become compulsory for ranks between 18 to 45 years old to be physically fit.
He pointed out that after they would have attained the age of over 45 they would have to take it upon themselves to remain physically fit.
The Force Training Officer explained that when a person is enlisted in the GPF as a constable he goes through physical fitness training almost immediately and he continues physical training thereon.
Williams stated that after the elementary level is completed in about six months, ranks remain in groups of threes in which physical training is done three times per week by a qualified physical fitness instructor at the Police College.
Meanwhile, during his address to the gathering at the GPF Awards and Incentives Ceremony held earlier this month, Acting Commissioner of Police, Seelall Persaud said in addressing welfare of ranks, the Force is currently engaged with an insurance company in a Group Health Insurance.
The Top Cop added that this is linked to a programme that will see the annual medical check-up by each rank, annual physical assessment by each rank under the age of 45 years and an education/awareness package on healthy lifestyles and lifestyles diseases all working towards an objective of maintaining a healthy Force.

(By Michel Outridge)