American police are in dire straits. Not only in terms of recruitment, but also in terms of quality.
The crisis goes beyond numbers. It goes to the heart of this agency's ability to keep Americans safe. Joe Rogan recently hosted John McPhee“The Sheriff of Baghdad” on the podcast.
One of my closest friends, an NYPD officer, shared with me the unbelievable nonsense that unfolded after George Floyd's death, a story that reveals just how dire the situation had become.
A retired Special Forces soldier has made a dire accusation against US law enforcement.
McPhee, who is currently focused on training police officers and civilians, highlighted systemic failures that put both officers and the public at risk, from fitness to training. He did not respond to requests for comment before publication of this article.
But you don't have to be a grizzled gun-wielding guru to see the elephant in the room.
Blue line becomes thicker
amazing 40% of American police officers I'm obese. Not overweight, but obese. This is a stark reality for those charged with the duty to protect and serve. When police officers are unable to pursue suspects, subdue assailants, or endure the physical demands of their jobs, the concept of public safety is fundamentally undermined.
Not only are obese police officers at increased risk of injury, but they are also more likely to rely on law enforcement. excessive force. Lack of stamina or muscle strength may force officers to resort to extreme measures, such as using deadly force prematurely.
As an example, Parker v. District of ColumbiaAs part of this, the decline in the physical strength of police officers directly led to serious incidents. Officer Hayes was unable to effectively pursue the fleeing suspect and resorted to using his firearm, seriously injuring the suspect. The court found that the officer's health condition was worsened by inadequate fitness training, leaving no viable non-lethal options.
Contrary to the delusional beliefs of the fat positivity movement, there is nothing “positive” about carrying around a bucket of fat. Santa Claus aside, here's the idea of a jolly fat man. pure fiction. And St. Nick is just hilarious because he punches one day a year.
Obesity doesn't just put a strain on your body. It also crushes the heart. It's a breeding ground for depression, anxiety, and chronic stress, all of which wreak havoc on judgment and decision-making. Research shows that obesity dulls executive function, increases impulsivity, and turns high-pressure moments into fertile ground for bad decisions.
Obese police officers often report smoldering anger and frustration, a mixture of physical struggle and society's not-so-subtle disdain.
don't respect
Additionally, respect plays an important role in the police profession. Police officers rely on the public's cooperation, trust, and authority to carry out their duties effectively, including de-escalating tense situations, issuing orders, and establishing credibility in court. However, social stigma often complicates this relationship, especially when it comes to appearance, and obesity is a key factor.
the study consistently show Obese people face widespread discrimination, both overt and subtle. They are often perceived as less competent, less disciplined, and even less authoritative. These perceptions stem from deeply ingrained stereotypes that link weight to laziness and lack of self-control, traits that are in direct contradiction to the image of a disciplined and trustworthy police officer.
Consciously or unconsciously, people think, “How can this police officer protect me and my loved ones when he can't even resist the magnetic force of a McDonald's drive-thru?”
We can debate the fairness of such biases, but they are deeply rooted in human psychology and social conditioning. In other words, they exist, but they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Obese police officers may struggle to convey the same sense of readiness and competence in the eyes of the public, regardless of their actual skills or expertise.
tough love
To be clear, this is not an attack on the police officers themselves. They perform an invaluable service, often risking their lives, to maintain the delicate balance of order and safety in our communities. Without their dedication, society would fall into chaos.
But in a profession where lives are at stake, falling short of the highest standards is a dangerous compromise. Police officers, like everyone else, must be responsible for their own physical fitness. This is so basic that it's not even up for debate.
I feel sorry for the police officers. They are often victims of systemic failure and are woefully unprepared for the rigors of the role. Law enforcement professionals operate under immense pressure, but the lack of meaningful support for their physical and mental health only exacerbates the challenges they face every day.
One of my closest friends, an NYPD officer, shared with me the unbelievable nonsense that unfolded after George Floyd's death, a story that reveals just how dire the situation had become. Police officers are overwhelmed with pointless training sessions and mountains of paperwork that distract them and prevent them from doing the job they were hired to do: protect the American people.
99 problems
Police problems begin with woefully inadequate training systems. As McPhee observed, police academies often fixate on bureaucratic minutiae and ignore important real-world preparation.
Police officers enter the scene unequipped to handle life-or-death situations with the nuance and skill necessary. Training in key areas such as de-escalation, hand-to-hand combat, and tactical decision-making is often minimal, leaving officers to survive high-stakes battles without the necessary tools.
Further complicating the problem is the rigid structure of the police force. Unlike the military, which assigns roles based on individual strengths, law enforcement agencies adhere to a one-size-fits-all model. Police officers with different abilities are tasked with the same task, including patrolling neighborhoods and responding to active threats.
Why not assign stronger, stronger, and smarter officers to patrol the streets, while less mobile officers concentrate on desk jobs where they can contribute effectively?
McPhee believes that with proper training, the need for a professional SWAT team can be completely eliminated.
He told Logan that if properly trained, any officer would possess the aptitude, tactical precision, and decision-making skills normally reserved for elite units.
Today's reliance on SWAT teams is a symptom of a broader system failure. Ordinary police officers are so poorly prepared that experts are needed for situations that should be within the scope of standard police work. With proper training, police officers will be able to handle everything from high-stakes emergencies to routine calls with the same level of professionalism.
the need for change
Reform is not just possible. It has already been successfully implemented in other countries. Finland and Norway have set the gold standard with rigorous, multi-year training programs that focus on legal knowledge, physical fitness, and de-escalation techniques. These countries produce officers who are not only better equipped but also have greater trust in their communities. Even Australia has embraced reforms that focus on fitness, tactical readiness and continuing professional development.
Indeed, some may argue that America is not Australia, and certainly not Finland. That's certainly true.
But like Australia and Finland, American police forces are made up of people, individuals with an important duty to protect and serve the public. The path to better, faster, sharper, more powerful police is not rocket science. It's about prioritizing smart training, embracing reform, and holding the system, as well as the individuals within it, to a higher standard. To do otherwise would be an abdication of responsibility to both officers and the communities they serve.
Now is the time to MAGA, “Make Authority Great Again.”
