No Stupid Questions

You misunderstand. Cops in the US have no legal obligation to protect OR serve anyone. Check out the NY subway guy that was attacked with a knife while cops watched from 10 feet away behind bulletproof glass. They literally hid in the conductor booth and watched this guy get stabbed in the fucking face repeatedly.

Not only did the guy survive, he actually overpowered and subdued the attacker. Guy brought a suit against the NYPD for failing to protect him when their motto at the time was literally "Protect and serve". Long story short, the end result is that he got a real live judge to say out loud that police have no actual duty to protect you when it could endanger themselves. Coupled with your observation on the obesity of American cops, it could be argued that walking down the street to issue a ticket could be lethal for the cop in question and therefore they have no obligation to do it, they simply choose to do it out of spite.

Many departments don't require physical tests once hired.

Most of the work cops do is domestic disturbance calls and traffic stops. There's no reason to be physically fit for either of those jobs. Also, most people see the day shift and in nicer neighborhoods; again there's really no need for physicality. Getting on day shift and good area means you've been on the police a while and "earned it" (or you have some clout), so usually olderish cops.

The young jacked mfers usually are on the night shift and in rougher neighborhoods.

Additionally, a bullet resistant vest and all the gear will make you look bigger/fatter than you really are.

So it's kind of a combo of all that.

Also, ACAB

Since you're using terminology tied to BMI, it is important to note that it's use for police officers doesn't accurately reflect reality.

A lot of cops take their fitness regime seriously, including building a lot of muscle mass. If you have significant muscle mass, you are going to be considered obese or morbidly obese per BMI even though they are in great physical shape. This would be true for other fields like firefighters.

How is someone that gets out of breath eating a donut going to protect and serve anyone?

They don't serve anyone

Becauase people who are sensible and emotionally stable enough to be healthy probably aren't stupid or malicious enough to be cops.

You also can't be a cop at some stations if your IQ is tested too high.

They want obedient bullies, it's a low bar.

I've definitely seen fat police officers in other countries.

Why are they also so clearly low iq, and hyper violent?
and why are they paid so well?

to protect and serve is not their job.

I think once you pass the physical strength/endurance exam to become a cop, you don't have to take any to remain one. I definitely think that should change, though. Make them pass once a year to retain their job.

In my part of the world, cops are near on top of the food chain in any town and city, sometimes literally getting a free pass as long as they do something for a politician, a celebrity, or a business personality. So some of them, especially senior officers, do eventually get obese because not only they get to choose what duties they want to carry out, but also either they have three full square meals plus two snacks a day, or maybe a drinking party two to four times a month.

Of course they -- the Philippine National Police -- are a government agency, but also they're a fraternity, the so-called "Brotherhood": "you scratch my back as long as I scratch yours".

Guns.

i have been to the US several times. Have you ever tried to eat healthily?

Heard from a local cop that it had something to do with the union. If the department wants to implement a standard the union would require something or other. Something about an incentive? I didn’t get the whole picture obviously. I know police need unions in case somebody sues them but does seem kind of dumb that it’s so difficult to enforce a physical standard.

Neither protecting or serving are actual job requirements.

They are not required to serve and protect. US courts say so.

Our law enforcement is a huge joke and the meh pay, high turnover rate, and low bar of entry attracts the type of people you wouldn't want to be associated with to begin with.

But also, why are small framed 5'3 women allowed to be police?

Fact is, most cops can't outrun or overpower a lot of criminals who chose to resist or flee. In actuality that's a pretty tiny part of the job. The rest is tickets, reports, paperwork, arrests with no resistance, investigations, etc. you don't have to be an athlete or even very physically fit to do any of that. Id rather deal with a fat cop that isn't a dick more than a slim one who's a dumbass.

Cities in pretty much the entire country are running with an understaffed police force. They'll take what they can get. I'm 100% pro Union, but another problem is that police unions help protect unfit (literally and figuratively) police from being forced to try harder by abusing protected status health claims. I've seen in both police and military, they are handed paperwork if they are not meeting fitness expectations, but nothing ever comes of it.

Cops with guns don't have to run.. 🤷‍♂️

Reminds me of my favorite Simpson’s quote.

Marge (to Bart): “Your father wanted to be a police officer but they said he was too heavy.”

Homer: “No the army said I was too heavy, the police said I was too dumb.”

From what I've seen, they don't even learn about the law and often break the law by illegal detainment, searches and confiscation. Cops who served for over 20 years but don't know people their rights. They often get minimal training while having to serve alone where everyone carries a gun. That's asking for problems. And now cops in the US are militarized with heavy combat gear, while the majority is white and racist. So obesity is the least of the problems with US police.