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Lawsuit Filed Over Killeen Police Fitness Standards
A lawsuit has been filed over new fitness standards for Killeen police officers that go into effect on Thursday.
Reporter: By Bernadette Flores Email Address: bernadette.flores@kwtx.com |
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74 Comments 
KILLEEN (September 28, 2009)--The Killeen Police Department said Monday a lawsuit has been filed against the city challenging the department's new physical fitness standards, which take effect this Thursday.
Chris Ferman, the president of the West Bell County Fraternal Organization acknowledged the lawsuit Monday and said his organization and the Killeen Municipal Police Association joined to file the suit.
The two groups, which represent a majority of the city’s police officers, have come out against the fitness standards, saying that they could cost some good veteran officers their jobs.
Both groups declined further comment Monday on the advice of their attorney.
The Killeen Police Department also declined further comment.
All of the department’s commissioned officers from the chief down must meet the standards, which were unveiled two years ago, regardless of age, gender or experience.
For current officers, the standards require a vertical jump of at least 16 inches; an agility run that must be complete in no more than 19.6 seconds; a 300 meter run that must be completed in no more than 74 seconds, at least 21 push ups, and a 1.5 mile run that must be completed in no more than 18 minutes and 48 seconds.
Latest Comments
After 4 academy's and 25 years of law enforcement, I have seen this argument over and over. The Law Suits that are generated over misguided administrators trying to implement new standards are a drain of department and city funds that could best be utilized elsewhere, I.E. training and equipment.During my tenure as a police officer and as a detective I received numerous letters of commendation and unit citations as well as the LVMPD medal of Valor. None of which involved running. As a police officer you are trained to think on your feet and hopefully out think your opponent. Most of the Departments I know and have worked for utilize technology rather than foot pursuits which often cause injuries to Officers. I agree you should be fit for your position but the need or tests that have you running a mile and a half and the 300 meter are redundant and resulted in numerous law suits against the cooper standards. Wake up and use your resources.
I agree with what appears to be the majority opinion: there should be physical fitness standards for police officers. I am a police officer in N. Texas and we are headed toward a similar phys fitness standard. Already there are moans and groans. I support having one.....even one more stringent than Killeen's. Ooorahh.
Get up off yoiu r lazy butss and do the fitness standards. How do expect a overweight Police Office to chase someone on foot? You can't. They would be liable to have a heart attack.
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