Area police officers are dispelling the doughnut consumption myth and sticking to fitness regimens.

U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona recently warned police forces about the importance of physical fitness.

“Being overweight or obese directly impacts job performance when you’re trying to defend the public safety,” Carmona said in remarks to the National Sheriff’s Association.

Ames Police Chief Loras Jaeger agreed with Carmona.

“Citizens should expect that an officer is physically fit to provide safety and to protect them,” he said.

Ames Police officers are required to pass Iowa Law Enforcement Academy fitness standards in order to be hired, which include a 1.5 mile run, one minute of sit-ups, one minute of pushups and a sit and reach stretch. However, officers are not required to maintain any other fitness standards while they are on the force.

Jaeger said many officers utilize the recreation center in City Hall and work out frequently.

“The vast majority of officers are in good shape.” he said.

Jerry Stewart, director of the Department of Public Safety, said DPS officers need to maintain satisfactory levels of general health and physical fitness while also participating in semi-annual fitness tests.

“The functions of a law enforcement agency require fitness standards not demanded by other occupations,” he said.

Stewart said officers are given rewards for completing tests at the 40, 60 and 80th percentiles, including clothing and acknowledgment on an award board.

Officers who do not meet the fitness standards are not disciplined, but rather referred to a wellness center for education and counseling.

“Our test results show that our force is very physically fit,” Stewart said.

Penny Westfall, Iowa Law Enforcement Academy director, said overweight officers have higher risks because criminals may measure an officer’s capabilities by their fitness and decide not to take a risk or chance if the officer is in good shape.

“Overweight officers face greater risks and may not have the capability to fight as well or protect themselves as well,” Westfall said.

Stewart said obese officers are more prone to cardiac arrest and stroke on or off duty.

“[Police work] requires officers to move from sedentary to very active work in a matter of seconds which can increase risk of medical complications,” he said.

Westfall said police forces should stress overall wellness.

“They’re more in control if they have learned wellness by having aerobic activity throughout the week, strength training and eating well,” she said. “Generally, there’s more interest in maintaining a healthy lifestyle today.”

Stewart said his officers are more likely to drink water and eat bagels and only one of the 32 officers smokes.

Jaeger said the stereotypical coffee drinking, doughnut eating police officer is hard to find around Ames.

“I don’t see very many doughnuts around this building,” he said.