Suffolk PD should raise fitness standards

With the state of our economy and continuous lack of job security, the abundant amount of applicants for the Suffolk County police civil service test isn't surprising ["No wonder many want to be LI cops," Editorial, April 12]. Although, such a high number (30,000) should raise one important question: Is their motivation to become a police officer strictly for financial reasons?

One should become a police officer for the integrity and honor of the profession, not the paycheck. With many officers in Nassau and Suffolk counties earning six-figure salaries, there should be physical fitness screening tests throughout their careers.

According to the department website, the Suffolk County police require male recruits ages 20 to 29 to run a mile and a half in 12:29. Most high schools on Long Island require their male students to run a mile in their gym classes in just six minutes for a perfect score.

In my opinion, our police should have the physical stamina and ability to survive basic training through any of our military branches at all times. It is sickening when I see officers who clearly couldn't last two laps around a track. If Nassau and Suffolk police pay extremely high salaries, they should have extremely high standards. Such an approach would weed out those who sign up for the wrong reasons.

Dominick Della Croce

Kings Park