South Africa's overweight police officers have been warned to squeeze into their uniforms and hit the gym or face losing their jobs.

The launch of the rigorous new Viva Fitness! programme comes after a study found more than half of the police force was medically obese. It aims to make officers better able to chase criminals in a country with one of the world's highest violent crime rates. About 200 police trainees kicked off the Viva Fitness! program, doing jumping jacks and other exercises. Officials also measured officers' body fat percentage.

Officers will be required to maintain the uniform size issued when they leave the academy. Those grow out of their uniform will be given the opportunity to get back into shape within a year. If they do not, they will be in breach of policy and will no longer be allowed to be part of the organisation. National Police Commissioner Bheki Cele said: "Police officers should be able to walk with their heads held high, their stomach in, and chest out - not the other way around."

The police service has committed to trying to install gyms at all police stations, as well as signing agreements with private gym partners to provide subsidized facilities for their staff. Director Phil Vuma, who has been in the police force for 24 years, thinks the biggest benefit of the new fitness program will be a shift in public perception, especially among criminals. "Criminals are less likely to commit crime if they see the police force is lean and mean," Mr Vuma said.

What would Sergeant Dixon have said?


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