Thomas A Daddio III: The importance of maintaining health in law enforcement

To The Daily Sun,

According to another report by the Wall Street Journal — more than 40% of law enforcement officers are obese and 80% are overweight. Many other studies have found that police officers are 25% more likely to just drop dead from weight related complications like cardio disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and even cancers.

The stress of the job makes many police officers turn to substance, such as alcohol, drugs, and even illegal substances that they should be policing themselves. Most towns nowadays will hire anything — due to the lack of young adults that don't want to be in law enforcement.

Setting an example in law enforcement is very important, and towns should put their police through health checks regularly. Some towns actually do the intelligent thing, and fine officers for refusing to lose weight and get serious about their job ... just like they would fine us for not following the rules. Either way, the obesity epidemic in policing must be addressed, enough is enough and it's time for a change.

Thomas A. Daddio III

Gilmanton