THE ATLANTA, GA., POLICE DEPARTMENT REQUIRES ITS OFFICERS TO REPORT FOR A YEARLY TEST THAT INVOLVES A 1-MILE RUN, PUSHUPS, PULLUPS, AND SITUPS. OFFICERS WHO REPEATEDLY FAIL THE TEST OR REFUSE TO TAKE IT RECEIVE 1-MONTH SUSPENSIONS. THIS TOUGH APPROACH IS UNUSUAL, HOWEVER, AND STUDIES SHOW THAT POLICE ARE OVERWEIGHT, RUN A HIGH RISK OF HEART ATTACK, AND IN SOME CASES COULD NOT CHASE AN ATHLETIC SUSPECT FOR MORE THAN A FEW BLOCKS. THE MAJOR REASONS WHY POLICE ARE IN SUCH POOR SHAPE ARE STRESS AND LACK OF EXERCISE. MOST BASIC POLICE WORK INVOLVES RIDING IN A PATROL CAR, YET THE OFFICER IS CONSTANTLY ON EDGE BECAUSE OF AN AWARENESS THAT POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATIONS COULD BREAK HIS SEDENTARY ROUTINE AT ANY MOMENT. IN ADDITION, THE OFFICER IS NOT AT HOME DURING REGULAR HOURS TO DEVELOP GOOD EATING AND SLEEPING HABITS. A SURVEY OF 302 POLICE AGENCIES SHOWED THAT WHILE TWO-THIRDS HAD SOME PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE OR WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS FOR RECRUITS, HARDLY ANY HAD REQUIREMENTS FOR OFFICERS ON THE JOB. IT IS FEARED THAT OFFICERS IN POOR CONDITION WILL HAVE A TENDENCY TO USE THEIR GUNS IF THEY ARE UNABLE TO CHASE OR WRESTLE WITH SUSPECTS. POLICE DEPARTMENTS ALSO HAVE GOOD FINANCIAL REASONS TO STRESS HEALTH AND FITNESS SINCE HEART DISEASE AND BACK TROUBLE ARE TWO MAJOR CAUSES OF EARLY RETIREMENT. PHYSICAL EXERCISE MAY HELP PREVENT THESE DISEASES AND ALSO COLDS AND THE FLU. THE KANSAS CITY, MO., DEPARTMENT OFFERS EXTRA DAYS OFF FOR OFFICERS WHO STAY IN SHAPE, AND OTHER DEPARTMENTS REQUIRE PERIODIC PHYSICALS. MANY DEPARTMENTS WITH WEIGHT REQUIREMENTS USE SIMPLE INSURANCE CHARTS TO DETERMINE APPROPRIATE WEIGHTS, BUT PHYSICIANS NOW AGREE THAT THIS APPROACH IS UNSCIENTIFIC AND PREFER TO USE A FAT COMPOSITION TEST WHICH IS A MORE ACCURATE MEASURE OF HEALTH. THE ATLANTA PROGRAM IMPROVED THE CONDITION OF ITS OFFICERS, ALTHOUGH SOME FEMALE OFFICERS HAVE TROUBLE MEETING REQUIREMENTS. IT IS SUGGESTED THAT THE TEST BE GIVEN ON A QUARTERLY RATHER THAN A YEARLY BASIS SO THAT OFFICERS HAVE AN INCENTIVE TO STAY IN SHAPE. (KJM)