No word on action taken based on 2013 test
VIBHA VERMA
vibha@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Even as Goa Police’s last Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) turned out to be a damp squib, this year too the department has begun a fitness test for its 5,000-odd force from February 10 at the GRP camp and Joggers’ Park, Altinho.
Though this year too the police will be subjected to measurement of height, weight and rigorous workouts for the younger group and less stressful exercises for those above 40 years the department is tight-lipped about what action they have taken based on 2013 PPT results.
Herald has records to show how the women police took full advantage of child care leave, pregnancy and maternity leaves to evade the test last time. These also revealed that a majority of policemen and policewomen managed to get an ‘excellent’ grade in the stringent examination.
The department had made the PPT an important criterion for assessment of officers in their Annual Confidential Reports. The PPT was initiated two years ago to ensure that the police maintain high fitness standards and are in a state of readiness to respond to all situations.
“Those found overweight would be asked to shed the extra pounds or undergo rigorous training at Police Training School (PTS), Valpoi,” an officer had said. This ironically has never happened till date, even though over 150 police personnel (not officers) had failed the 2013 test. Some had skipped the test either on genuine medical grounds or remained absent. There were instances of cheating during the long-distance run and other workouts while some also made attempts to purposely fail the test to get three months placement at PTS being closer to their place of stay. The report has not been made public as yet.
Nonetheless, learning from past mistakes, the examining boards – conducting the tests – have ensured strict vigilance including video-recording of the exercises.
An order, a copy of which is with Herald states that this time the test will be conducted under strict surveillance. It reads thus: “…to depute four Quick Response Team vehicles along with driver and also depute reserve staff (one PC) each at all outside four corners of Joggers Park… (the concerned officer) is requested to depute videographer/photographer at GRP Camp to cover the PPT.” The 40 marks-exercise is expected to be completed by February-end.
