Good Cop, Fat Cop

Bellevue, Nebraska was one fat officer short in their PD, but not for long.

The Nebraska Court of Appeals this week reversed their decision regarding the termination of Christopher D. Parent, saying that it was not legal to fire him because of his obesity.

Parent, 52, had been a member of the Police Department for more than 25 years. He was fired after a combat shooting exercise in August 2007, after an internal investigation determined that he was not maintaining a “high level of physical, mental and emotional conditioning.” There is a policy on their books requiring officers to remain physically fit while on duty. At 5'9", 300 lbs., Parent didn't make the cut.

Michael Polk, an attorney representing the city, said “It was a policy that was part of an outdated wellness program, and it was removed because of that,” he said. Polk said it was standard for officers to self-report by filling out a sheet detailing how they stayed healthy and fit.

The City of Bellevue could let the case go — re-instating Parent in a few months — or send the case to the Nebraska Supreme Court for further review, putting Parent’s job back on the line. No decision have been made as of yet.