A Texas troopers’ union has filed a lawsuit against the state, challenging a new fitness assessment policy which limits the waistline size of an officer.
Texas Department of Public Safety currently is implementing a new fitness policy where the waistlines of male officers mustn’t be over 40inches while female officer’s waists must remain at 35inches or lower. The officers who do not meet these guidelines could possibly encounter disciplinary action which includes denied overtime, reassignment or considered ineligible for a promotion, says a news report.
Though the troopers have had to be maintain fitness standards always, Texas Department of Public Safety Officers Association’s President Richard Jankovsky says that the new policy is demeaning.
Not all the physically fit officers have similar body shape, height or genetic makeup, said Jankovsky. The new requirements have shifted beyond testing the fitness required to conduct an officer’s duty into one appearance policy which has minor bearing on the ability of an officer to protect Texans. Jankovsky added.
The suit, lodged in the Travis County court, is urging the lawmakers for blocking the further implementation of the policy till its authenticity could be determined.
The Department of Public Safety is yet to comment on the matter.