Haryana Police Launches Major Fitness Drive to Combat Obesity Among Officers

The Haryana Police Department faces a growing concern over the fitness levels of its personnel. Director General of Police (DGP) Shatrujeet Kapoor has issued directives to identify overweight officers within ten days. This initiative comes after observations that unfit officers often struggle to pursue criminals effectively, impacting law enforcement efficiency.

Comprehensive Fitness Program

The department has designed a 40-day fitness regime that includes:

• Daily morning exercise routines
• Mandatory yoga sessions
• Gymnasium training
• Running exercises 

The program, initially launched in Gurugram, aims to help officers regain their physical fitness and maintain optimal health standards for active duty. 

Historical Context and Legal Pressure 

The initiative gained momentum after the Punjab and Haryana High Court's June 2022 intervention, requesting lists of overweight officers from all district Superintendents of Police. Former Home Minister Anil Vij had also ordered the transfer of overweight personnel to police lines for fitness training before field deployment. 

Addressing Root Causes

The department has identified several factors contributing to officer unfitness:

• Irregular work schedules hampering consistent exercise routines
• Job-related stress leading to unhealthy lifestyle choices 
• Increased instances of alcohol consumption and smoking among personnel
• Lack of structured physical activity in daily routines