There is one key difference between the fitness levels of Chicago police officers and DeKalb police officers. Chicago cops are now paid to lose their bellies.

In a campaign that Chicago’s Mayor Richard Daley is hoping will stifle the stereotype of doughnut loving, pot-bellied police officers, Chicago police officers will now be paid a bonus of $250 if they can pass a fitness test.

“The DeKalb Police Department does not have any fitness incentive programs,” DeKalb Police Lt. Jim Kayes said.

However Kayes insisted, “The public should insist on fit police officers,”

Kayes explained that DeKalb police officers would be more apt to work out if they could do it on the clock.

Unfortunately, the DeKalb police officers are unable to do anything that could interfere with them responding to a call.

This, coupled with the unwillingness of the city of DeKalb to pay overtime for officers to work out, eliminates the possibility of cops working out on the job.

“Other departments have fitness programs that encourage certain fitness levels by giving time off to police officers,” Kayes said.

Kayes explained that the nature of police work creates a necessary level of fitness. Running after suspects and having to physically wrestle with assailants creates a definite need for physical fitness.

“The one time you have to do something, you want to be ready,” Kayes said.

When asked about the overall fitness of the DeKalb police department, Kayes said, “Most of our guys are fit. Most of us want to stay fit.”

Kayes also noted that the City of DeKalb puts on a health fair every few years that allows officers to receive free health tests to measure blood pressure and other fitness-related parameters.

The DeKalb police officers are able to become members of health clubs at 50 percent of the cost.

“The police department pays for 50 percent of the cost, up to $500 every year,” Kayes said.

He added that a lot of our DeKalb police officers belong to health clubs.

Kayes explained it would have to be put into the police officers union contract for fitness testing to occur regularly.

“As with the general population, we have a few guys who could stand to lose a few pounds, but overall, fitness is not a problem,” Kayes said.