Diet Coach Brought in to Arrest Obesity in Los Angeles Police Officers

It's the police's job to protect and serve us -- and of course, to arrest suspected criminals.

But how do you arrest obesity in the police officers?

Well, bring in a diet coach.

That's what's the Los Angeles Police Department has done, a development I learned about, thanks to the AP's Shaya Tayee Mohajer.

And it sounds like dietitian Rana Parker is offering some valuable suggestions like backing off from burgers, microwave burritos and greasy slices of pizza.

Indeed, I like Parker's point of view that, as Mohajer explain, "officers can better take a bite out of crime if they aren't hungry on their shifts."

Unfortunately, though, I'm wary of some of Parker's suggestions. She recommends energy bars (do they contain lots of sugar and high fructose corn syrup in them?). And what about these peanut butter sandwiches she recommends -- are they on whole grain bread? is this sugar-free peanut butter?

But I do like her idea of the police officers chomping on fruit.

All said and done, though, hurrah to the LAPD for making an effort to trim down its pudgy officers so they'll perform better.